Children can do better academically if they feel more self-confident, if they are told that failure is a normal part of learning, rather than being pressured to succeed at all costs, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association.
«We focus on widespread belief which equates academic success with a high level of competence and failure with intellectual inferiority ”, said Frederique Autin, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Poitiers, France.
«Being obsessed with success, students are afraid of failing. They end up finding it difficult to assimilate new knowledge. By recognizing that difficulty and failure is a crucial part of learning, we could break a vicious cycle in which we create feelings of incompetence that in turn disrupt learning. "
The results of the study showed that memory can be improved simply if students they increase your confidence and reduce your fear of failure.
Teachers and parents should emphasize children's progress instead of focusing exclusively on grades and test scores. Learning takes time and every step in the process must be rewarded, especially in the early stages when students experience failure. "