🚀 How Embracing Failure Helps Students Build Resilience, Critical Thinking, and a Growth Mindset

Have you ever watched a student completely shut down the moment they made a mistake? Maybe they crumpled up their paper, crossed their arms, or blurted out, “I can’t do this!”

As teachers, we see this all the time. Some kids fear failure so much that they avoid challenges altogether. And honestly? We’ve been there too. That moment when something doesn’t go as planned, and our first instinct is to back away, find the easiest way out, or fall into old routines.

But here’s the thing: failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of real learning.

So today, we’re flipping the script on failure. We’re going to talk about why mistakes are actually powerful learning tools, what happens in the brain when we fail, and how we can create a classroom culture where students embrace challenges instead of running from them.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have:
✔ Science-backed strategies to help students reframe mistakes
✔ Practical ways to build resilience and problem-solving skills
✔ Simple shifts to normalize failure in your teaching

Because when students stop fearing mistakes and start learning from them, that’s when the magic happens. Let’s jump in! 🚀

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So, let’s start with a little brain science, because this is so cool.

Did you know that when we make a mistake, our brains literally grow? Neuroscience research shows that when students get something wrong and take time to figure out why, their brains form new neural connections—which strengthens their learning.

Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on Growth Mindset backs this up. Students with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence is set, so they avoid challenges for fear of failing. But students with a growth mindset? They see mistakes as a chance to improve.

And here’s the wild part—we accept this idea in so many areas of life except in school!

Think about learning an athletic skill. If a kid is learning to shoot a basketball, are they expected to make every shot perfectly the first time? No! They shoot, adjust, try again, and build that muscle memory over time. Coaches don’t let them quit after one bad shot.

So why do we let that perfectionist mindset creep into the classroom?

Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, once said, “I wasn’t afraid to fail. That’s why I succeeded.” He knew that every missed shot, every mistake, was part of the process that made him better.

What if we taught our students to see learning the same way?

A 2016 study from Michigan State University found that when students were taught to view mistakes as learning opportunities, their brains showed more engagement and activity.

So here’s the key takeaway: The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes—it’s to learn how to recover from them.

Let’s start using phrases like:
✅ “Your brain is growing right now!”
✅ “That mistake is actually helping you get better at this.”
✅ “What did you learn from that attempt?”

Because when we teach students that mistakes are stepping stones, we change the way they see themselves as learners.

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Now, let’s talk about why mistakes are essential in STEM. Science, engineering, and innovation are built on trial and error.

Imagine if Thomas Edison had given up after his first failed attempt at inventing the lightbulb. He tried over 1,000 times before he got it right.

Or what if the Wright Brothers had stopped designing airplanes after their first crash?

Or something that really hits home for students—think about their favorite video game. The one they play for hours trying to level up. Do they quit the game the first time they lose? No! They adjust, try again, and learn from their mistakes.

Failure isn’t a setback—it’s part of the creative process.

So, how do we bring this into our classrooms?

🔹 Shift the focus from “right answers” to problem-solving. Encourage students to test, revise, and improve.
🔹 When students say, “This didn’t work!” ask, “Why do you think that is? What’s your next step?”
🔹 Normalize struggle. Share real-world stories of failures that led to breakthroughs.

And here’s something fun—what if you created a “Failure Celebration” board where students post a mistake they made and what they learned from it? Imagine walking into a classroom and seeing students owning their struggles and reflecting on their growth. If you try this, please share it with me on Instagram @TheLearningProjectJenn—I would love to see it!

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Now, let’s talk about how to shift classroom culture. Because if students are afraid to fail, they’re afraid to try.

Here’s how we change that:

🔹 Model making mistakes. When you mess up, acknowledge it. Say things like, “Oops, I made a mistake—let’s fix it together!” Show students that mistakes aren’t something to hide. They’re a powerful way to improve.

🔹 Use the power of ‘YET.’ Instead of “I can’t do this,” teach students to say, “I can’t do this… yet.”

🔹 Make reflection a habit. After an assignment or STEM challenge, ask:

• What went well?
• What was difficult?
• How did you problem-solve?

As a principal, I can’t tell you how many times students came to my office convinced that they were “bad kids” because of a mistake they made. I always shifted the conversation back to how they could fix it.

Mistakes in academics, in behavior—they’re all part of learning. The key is teaching kids how to reflect and grow from them.

✅ Try This: Start a Mistake of the Day discussion where students share what they learned from a challenge as a way to close before dismissing from school.

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Here are a few more ways to help students embrace mistakes:

🔹 The 3 Before Me Rule – Before students ask for help, they must:
1️⃣ Try to figure it out on their own.
2️⃣ Go back to their notes.
3️⃣ Ask a peer for suggestions.

🔹 Design Thinking in STEM Challenges – Make failure part of the process.
Instead of grading a final product, grade their iterations and improvements.

🔹 Failure Fridays – Each week, highlight a famous failure and let students share what they learned from a challenge. I’ve put together a list of 36 famous failures—one for every week of the school year. Grab it in the Growth Mindset Reflection Guide!

🔹 Use Growth Mindset Language
Instead of “That’s wrong,” say, “That’s an interesting approach—how else could we try it?”
Instead of “You failed,” say, “That was a great first attempt! What will you try next?”

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So, what’s one way you’re going to help students embrace mistakes this week? I’d love to hear from you!

📩 DM me on Instagram @TheLearningProjectJenn and tell me:
“What’s one small shift you’re making to help students learn from failure?”

🚀 Want tools to help students turn mistakes into learning moments? Download my FREE Growth Mindset Classroom Guide—packed with strategies to help students process their mistakes and turn them into opportunities. Grab it here!

And if you’re looking for more structured resources to teach perseverance, grit, and growth mindset, and Camp Character Guidebook, check out my TPT store! 🎉 You’ll find a week’s worth of lessons on perseverance and morning meeting slides to help reinforce these concepts every day.

🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with easy, powerful STEM strategies!

Because when we normalize mistakes, we help students become resilient problem-solvers who aren’t afraid to try again.

Let’s build a classroom culture where failure isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to celebrate. 🚀✨