What to do when someone tells you about a mistake

It’s okay to make mistakes — everyone does! When a friend, teacher, or grown-up tells you about a mistake, you can follow these easy steps to stay calm and learn from it.

1. Stop and take a breath.

   If you feel surprised or upset, take one slow deep breath. This helps you stay calm so you can listen.

2. Listen with your ears and your eyes.

   Look at the person and listen to what they say. Try not to interrupt. They are helping you know what happened.

3. Say thank you.

   Even if you don’t like being told, saying “Thank you for telling me” shows you are brave and polite.

4. Say sorry if you need to.

   If your mistake hurt someone or broke something, say “I’m sorry.” You can say, “I’m sorry I did that.”

5. Fix it if you can.

   If the mistake can be fixed—like cleaning up a spill or saying sorry to a friend—try to do that right away.

6. Ask how to do it better next time.

   Say, “Can you show me how?” or “What should I do next time?” People like helping when you ask nicely.

7. Practice and try again.

   Making a mistake is a chance to learn. Practice the right way and you will get better.

Two quick examples

• Example 1 — Toy sharing: You grab a toy while a friend is still playing. Your friend says, “Hey, that’s mine.” You take a breath, say “Sorry, I forgot,” give the toy back, and ask, “Can we take turns?”
• Example 2 — Spilled paint: You spill paint on the table. Say, “Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry!” Then help clean it up and ask how to do it better next time (maybe put the lid on the paint).

Practice game to try with an adult

Play a role-play: one person pretends to tell about a mistake, and the other practices the steps (breathe, listen, say thank you, say sorry, fix it). Switch roles so both practice.

Remember: Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what you do next — listen, fix it when you can, and learn to do better. That’s how you grow!