What is failure? Failure is often defined as, falling short of
ones goals. Who defines those goals? Is failure uncomfortable? Is
failure avoidable? No, failure is unavoidable and is, in fact,
essential for success. Yes! It is natural for our children to want
to avoid failure because it is uncomfortable. It is also natural
for us as adults to want to protect our children.
Slide 3
Is failure a good thing? Yes! Failure teaches us how to:
Problem Solve Seek help and ask questions Learn to push ourselves
Appreciate success Make better choices While life is easier without
failure, we cannot grow as learners and people. Our children are
the same way!
Slide 4
Failing Backward vs. Failing Forward Taking responsibility
Learning from mistakes Knowing failure is a part of the process
Keeping a positive attitude Challenging assumptions Taking new
risks Persevering Blaming others (friends, parents, teachers, etc.)
Repeating the same mistakes Expecting to never fail Expecting to
always fail Accepting tradition blindly Limited by past mistakes
Quitting
Slide 5
Example: Is an F a failure? Is it uncomfortable for your child?
Yes Will your child wish to do better? Most likely Will you want to
help your child do better? Absolutely Does it label your child a
failure? No An F can only be labeled a failure if there is no
reflection or review of the assessment and no changes to perform
better next time.
Slide 6
Fear of Failure creates: Paralysis- They stop moving forward
for fear of failure Procrastination Purposelessness 4 Negative side
effects of fear of failure: Self Pity Excuses Misused energy
Hopelessness
Slide 7
How do our kids think they fail? Grades, Tests, Quizzes,
Homework, Projects, Etc. Sports Teams- playing time, which team
they made, performance, etc. Social Interactions Making Poor
Choices: In trouble Physical Characteristics adolescence; avoiding
being different
Slide 8
Student Reactions (Failing Backward): Self Pity- This isnt
fair, Teacher/Friends hate me, Im stupid Excuses- Teacher didnt
teach that, I didnt know, Coach likes him better Misused energy-
Continuing to re-hash failure, not moving forward Hopelessness- Ill
Never; Ill be in trouble forever
Slide 9
How Can We Help Students Fail Forward? Set-backs are normal
(they are not failure) Lets put it into perspective (What is
important) Take Responsibility (reflect on your preparation,
actions, performance. mistake) Accept consequences Whats the plan
to move forward? (What do YOU need to do first and then who else
can help?) Follow through on the plan Continue to evaluate and
re-assess
Slide 10
Examples of Failing Forward CNN article Jennifer Egan Pulitzer
Prize author discusses how she will go through 50-60 drafts before
a novel is published. CNN article The struggle, of course, is often
about fear: the fear of getting it wrong, of hitting a dead end, of
wasting time. Of failing. Successful people, we imagine, are
somehow blessed with more optimism, bigger brains and higher ideals
than the rest of us. But it's not true. Successful people --
creative people -- fail every day, just like everybody else. Except
they don't view failure as a verdict. They view it as an
opportunity. Indeed, it's failure that paves the way for
creativity.
Slide 11
Examples of Failing Forward Rudy Move about Rudy Ruettiger who
follows his dream of playing football at Notre Dame even though he
lacks the grades, finances, and physical traits typically expected.
Rudy Pursuit of Happyness The movie about the real life story of
Chris Gardner, who struggled through challenging times to become a
successful Wall Street broker. Pursuit of Happyness
