Teaching Young Students to be Failures

If Thomas Edison had believed in failure we would still be living in darkness.   

Whether it’s a mathematics Olympiad or a school sports day, parents these days want their child to be first among the peers. Many kids feel that if they aren’t number one something bad might happen to them. This is what has led to increased pressure and stress among kids and youngsters these days. It is unfortunate that in societies obsessed with success and achievement, failure can be made to feel like the worst thing that could ever happen to a person. Curriculum only recognizes academic skills and students intelligence is measured by their marks. Non-academic skills and thinking power ability of the child is ignored.

Our education system ejects those who do not conform to the standards. Intellectuals/toppers are offered scholarships/quality jobs whereas weak students are denied participation and rejected. This reward-punishment tool will not help India recognize its true potential of human capital. Politicians are passing laws to keep system in place. This cannot go forever. And is this what we actually need?? Definitely not.




Learn from failures

We need a system that recognizes the fact that everyone has unique talents and different learning speeds. A passion to learn should be developed among students. A myth that anyone who does not master academics will become failure in life has to be eradicated from young minds.

They need to understand that there is more to education than academics. Importance should be given to student’s efforts rather than their innate ability. Their every effort should be praised with a tap on back and words “GREAT JOB”.As adults we should share our stories of struggle in life and failure with our children so they understand that it is a part of life. A little disappointment can actually benefit your child- as long as you teach them how to bounce back.

Rather than making our worth contingent on issues like academic success, appearances etc we should value ourselves solely for the fact that we are human beings. The only creatures blessed with a mind and heart on this Earth and accept failures as a normal part of learning and not a reason to quit. The perception towards failure needs to be changed. Take it as a challenge not as a social stigma. Just because of the fear that you’ll fail you’ll stop taking risks and will land up missing a golden opportunity.

Failure can teach us where we went wrong in the 1st place and how we can learn to pick ourselves up again to succeed. It doesn’t mean that we are bad at something, it just means that we have to try a different method to success.

Simple steps to overcome failure:

EXPECT MISTAKES: Learn to love finding that you’re wrong about something. Its an opportunity.

REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE WORTH A LOT!! Don’t feel inadequate.

BE CALM AND KEEP PATIENCE: Things take time.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOW OTHER PEOPLE VIEW YOU: IT HARDLY MATTERS..!!!

KEEP LAUGHING: THAT’S THE BEST MEDICINE…?

ENJOY THE PRESENT MOMENT AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE…

KEEP TRYING…KEEP THE HARDWORK ON…DON’T STOP WITH THE FEAR OF FAILURE.

AND last but not the least…HAVE FAITH IN GOD : HE GRANTS EVERYONE WITH JUSTICE… 🙂 ?

Golden Words

It is fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.-Bill Gates.

Thank you for sparing your valuable time.

Suggestions are always welcomed….. 🙂

One Response

  1. jatin nagpal July 15, 2014

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