Mistake recovery and self-compassion are at the heart of this colourful children’s poster about what to do after getting something wrong. It gives children, kids and younger pupils simple, memorable options after an error, making it useful for classrooms, therapy rooms, social work sessions, SEN support, and calm conversations at home.
The eight-step framework on the poster gives children clear next steps after a mistake: try again, ask for help, learn from it, keep going, try a different way, take a break, notice what went well, and be kind to yourself. Each idea is written in child-friendly language with short prompts that are easy to read and remember.
A separate “remember not to” strip names common unhelpful reactions, including giving up, saying “I can’t do it”, hiding mistakes, blaming other people, calling yourself names, or deciding one mistake means you are bad at something. That makes it useful for gentle discussion around resilience, growth mindset, emotional regulation and coping skills.
Teachers, teaching assistants, school counsellors, social workers and play therapists could use the poster as a visual prompt during individual work, small group activities or whole-class PSHE lessons. It would suit primary-aged children especially, including pupils who struggle with perfectionism, low confidence, frustration, shame, anxiety about failure or avoiding difficult tasks.
Parents and carers could also print it for a homework area, bedroom wall or fridge as a quick reminder when a child becomes upset about getting something wrong. The simple wording supports everyday conversations about learning from errors rather than hiding them or feeling defined by them.
The message “mistakes are proof that you are learning” gives the poster a positive, reassuring finish. Created by Edita Stiborova, it offers a one-page printable visual aid for helping children practise persistence, problem-solving and kinder self-talk.
