If we grow up fearing mistakes, we may become afraid to try new things.

Child care providers have found this week of programs about Mistakes especially helpful in their work. One story that came to us soon after the programs aired was about a child in a center who woke up from a nap and was upset that he had wet his cot. Another child in the group comforted him saying, "That's okay. It's just a mistake."

Sometimes a child who has made a mistake or had an accident can come away from that experience feeling really bad about him or herself. Of course, that, in turn, can affect his or her listening skills, play, and controls for the rest of the day...and longer. But the little boy who had wet his cot during naptime was given a caring message from another child that, now and then, he might make a mistake-- all people do. Because of the kind response he received, that boy came away from this experience better able to listen, to play, and to find controls.

Being comfortable with our mistakes is just as important for adults as it is for children. None of us is perfect. We're only human. And, isn't it good to think that being human is enough? What a gift you give to the children when you help them know that you appreciate them, through all the times -- times when you're proud of them and times when they've made mistakes.

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