I recently heard a story from Stephen Glenn about a famous research scientist who had made several important medical breakthroughs. When asked by a reporter what set him apart, he credited an early childhood experience.
At about age two, he tried to get a milk bottle from the refrigerator but lost his grip on the slippery bottle. It fell, spilling milk all over the kitchen floor.
When his mother entered, instead of scolding him, she said, "Robert, what a wonderful mess you've made! I've rarely seen such a huge puddle of milk. Would you like to play in it for a few minutes before we clean up?"
He did. After a few minutes, she said, "Whenever you make a mess, you eventually have to clean it up. How would you like to do that? We could use a sponge, a towel, or a mop." He chose the sponge, and they cleaned up together.
Then his mother said, "What we have here is a failed experiment in how to carry a big bottle with tiny hands. Let's go fill the bottle with water and see if you can discover a way to carry it without dropping it." The boy learned that by grasping the bottle at the top near the lip with both hands, he could carry it securely.
The scientist remarked that this moment taught him not to fear mistakes. He learned that mistakes are opportunities to learn something new, which is the essence of scientific experimentation. Even failed experiments often yield valuable lessons.
Wouldn't it be great if all parents responded as Robert's mother did?