It was 4:30 PM, she hopped out of the classroom filled with paper rockets. She walked home excited and rushed into the kitchen panting. “I learnt about the universe today and it fascinated me, maa. I shall be an astronaut” she said beaming. “Definitely! What all did you learn?” “A lot! But, why do you think the space is dark, when there is sun? which fuel is used in rockets? Is it the same as the petrol, maa?” she asked. “What did your teacher tell?” “I didn’t ask. They would laugh if questions were silly” she said munching her snacks. Have you ever held yourself back from asking questions for people might laugh? Well, I did at school! Success at school is often defined by the marks. But, if children are holding themselves back from making mistakes or observing it as an embarrassment, they get stuck in life. We are raising a generation of children with primary focus on high scores, good grades, successful careers but who completely are terrified of failing and making mistakes. And, that fear pulls them from trying new things, leaving their comfort zone and being creative. It’s time we make a shift in mindset that learning, and mistakes go hand in hand and create a conducive environment. What do you think of mistake-friendly classrooms?