# Lesson 207: Talking about mistakes

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Understanding Myself

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## Objective

I can talk about my mistakes in a safe, kind way. I can say what happened, how I felt, and what I can do to fix or learn from small mistakes.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: small sticky notes or stars to mark "fix-it" ideas

## Mini-lesson — Everyone makes mistakes

A mistake is something we did or said that we wish had gone different. Everyone makes mistakes, even adults.

Small, everyday mistakes

- Spilling juice by accident.
- Forgetting to put something away.
- Saying a word in a way that hurts a friend's feelings.

Big feelings about mistakes

- We might feel sad, angry, embarrassed, or worried.
- Those feelings are normal.
- We can still choose safe and kind actions.

Talking about mistakes

- We can tell a trusted adult what happened.
- We can use words like "I made a mistake." and "I am sorry."
- We can say what we will try to do next time.

Fixing and learning

- Sometimes we can fix a mistake (clean up, try again, return something).
- Sometimes we cannot fully fix it, but we can learn and do better next time.
- We are still a good person even when we make mistakes.

If a mistake is about safety (someone is hurt, scared, or in danger), children should tell a trusted adult right away. They do not have to keep it a secret.

Picture strip: Mistake, repair, and growth

## Guided Practice — Tell the story of a small mistake

You and an adult will choose a small, everyday mistake and talk calmly about it together.

1. With an adult, think of a safe, small mistake. Examples: spilling something, forgetting to tidy up, saying a word that felt unkind.
2. On a notebook page, draw three little boxes in a row and label them: "What happened", "Feelings", and "Fix or learn".
3. In the first box, the child draws a small picture of the mistake. The adult can add a label like "I knocked over the juice."
4. In the second box, draw a face to show how the child felt (sad, worried, embarrassed) and write or trace one feeling word.
5. In the third box, think together: "What did we do or what can we do now?" Draw a picture and write or trace a short idea, such as "We cleaned it up and I will walk more slowly next time."
6. Say a gentle sentence together, such as "Everyone makes mistakes. I can learn and try again."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — My "I can fix or learn" poster

Use this practice to help your child remember that mistakes can lead to fixing and learning, not just feeling bad.

1. Turn the page sideways. At the top, write or trace the title "When I make a mistake".
2. Down the page, draw three big speech bubbles or clouds. In each one, the adult helps the child complete a sentence:
   - "I can say: I am sorry when I…"
   - "I can fix it by…"
   - "Next time I will…"
3. Inside each bubble, draw a small picture to match the idea (for example, helping clean up, putting toys away, using kind words).
4. Colour the pictures and add small stars or hearts around the bubbles to show growing and learning.
5. Read the three sentences aloud together. The adult can model another one, such as "When I make a mistake, I can talk to someone I trust."
6. Put the poster somewhere your child can see it on days when they feel worried about mistakes, and remind them: "You are learning. Mistakes can help you grow."

## Quick Check — Talking about mistakes

Answer each question about mistakes, feelings, and fixing or learning.

1) What is a mistake?

Something only bad people do. Something we did or said that we wish had gone different. A kind of toy you buy.
A mistake is something that did not go the way we wanted.

2) Who makes mistakes?

Only children. Only adults. Everyone, including children and adults.
Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect.

3) Which sentence is a good way to start talking about a mistake?

"I made a mistake." "It is all your fault." "I will never tell anyone."
"I made a mistake" is an honest way to start talking.

4) You spilled water on the floor. Which is a helpful choice?

Run away and hope no one sees. Tell an adult and help clean it up. Blame your friend.
Telling an adult and helping clean up is a helpful way to fix the mistake.

5) Which sentence shows learning from a mistake?

"Next time I will walk more slowly with my drink." "I will never carry anything again." "I am the worst person ever."
Thinking about what to do next time shows learning and growth.

6) You feel scared about a mistake that hurt someone or is about safety. What should you do?

Keep it a secret forever. Only tell a friend your age. Tell a trusted adult so they can help keep everyone safe.
Trusted adults can help with safety problems and big mistakes.

7) Which sentence is kind self-talk after a mistake?

"I am bad and I can never change." "I made a mistake, but I can learn and try again." "Nobody should like me."
Kind self-talk remembers that you can learn and grow.

8) Which action helps repair a mistake with a friend?

Saying "I am sorry" and trying to use kinder words next time. Ignoring them and walking away forever. Telling everyone it was their fault.
Saying sorry and changing your actions helps repair a mistake.

9) What can you do if you feel too shy to talk about a mistake?

Never tell anyone. Only think about it and feel bad. Ask a trusted adult, "Can I tell you something I feel worried about?"
Trusted adults can listen and help when you feel shy or worried.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To pretend we never make mistakes. To learn to talk about mistakes safely and look for ways to fix or learn from them. To feel terrible about every mistake forever.
The goal is to talk about mistakes safely and use them to learn and grow.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say in simple words what a mistake is. Student understands that everyone makes mistakes, including adults. Student can name at least one trusted adult they can talk to about a mistake. Student can give at least one example of how to fix or learn from a small mistake. Student can use kind self-talk after a mistake (for example, "I can learn and try again.").

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can talk about my mistakes and think of ways to fix or learn from them. 🙂 I can talk a little about mistakes, but I want more practice. 😅 Talking about mistakes still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Using kind words to talk about a mistake Telling a trusted adult when I feel worried about a mistake Thinking of one way to fix or learn from a small mistake
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