There’s a common refrain in education that we need to create “safe learning environments where students feel comfortable taking risks.” It’s well-intentioned—we want learners to stretch beyond what’s easy and familiar. But I’d like to…

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—that’s how we learn! How many times have we offered this encouragement to our students? Yet despite our reassurances, many learners continue to avoid situations where they might make errors.…

Throughout this series, we’ve explored how our language and approaches around risk, mistakes, struggle, and challenge can either reinforce hesitation or build confidence in learners. Now let’s bring these ideas together to address a fundamental…

Have you ever found yourself stepping in to help a student who’s struggling with a challenging task, only to realize afterward that you might have done too much? You’re not alone. As educators, we’re wired…

The concept of “safe learning environments” has become a cornerstone of educational practice. We want students to feel secure, supported, and free from judgment. But has our well-intentioned emphasis on safety inadvertently undermined the very…

I can’t do this—it’s too hard! How many times have you heard a student express this frustration? The natural response is reassurance: “You can do it!” or “Keep trying!” But what if there’s a more…

How do your students respond when faced with a difficult problem or challenging task? Do they lean in with interest or pull back with hesitation? Their response reveals much about their relationship with challenge—and the…

Have you ever noticed how many contradictions exist in the way we talk about learning? We tell students mistakes help them learn, but create “safe places” to make them—implying mistakes are somehow dangerous. We say…