Child's reaction to failure

A wrong answer or a failed attempt can cause a child real disappointment, leading to feelings of sadness, anger, or frustration. These emotions are natural when a child encounters a challenge they cannot immediately overcome.

Parent's role in emotional support

According to psychologist Gwendoline Jouaret, when a child faces an error or a conflict, the first step is to understand and accept their emotions. It is important to let the child express their feelings without immediately offering solutions or correcting them.

Normalizing mistakes

Gwendoline Jouaret suggests that normalizing the mistake is an important step. Mistakes should be seen as common experiences rather than exceptional or shameful. Saying something like "It happens to everyone" can help the child feel less isolated in their struggle.

Expressing emotions through the body

If a child has difficulty expressing their emotions, the psychologist recommends focusing on physical sensations. For example, asking the child how their body feels when thinking about the situation can help them process their emotions, especially if they are too young or not used to verbalizing their feelings.

Encouragement over praise

Once the child has processed their emotions, the parent can help them regain a sense of security. It is important to emphasize that it is okay not to succeed and to have limits in knowledge. Encouragement, rather than praise, is advised to build the child's resilience without overemphasizing their intelligence.

Focusing on effort, not outcome

Gwendoline Jouaret warns against over-praising a child's intelligence after a failure. Instead, she suggests valuing the effort and persistence they showed. For example, instead of saying "That’s beautiful," a parent can describe the colors or imagination used in a drawing, helping the child recognize their own abilities and feel more secure in the face of challenges.