Here are a few conversations you have have with your "perfectionist" students to help put things into perspective:
Do you see how immediately just rephrasing things lets them off the hook?
We need to teach our students not only are mistakes "OK", but they're absolutely essential if our students are to ever be an "expert" at something. Even then they will continue to make mistakes if they are doing it right!
We all know those students who have that fixed mindset and have already decided they "can't" do something, but really it's a self-defense mechanism to protect their self-esteem. By helping them feel safe to make mistakes in your classroom, it will make a world of difference in helping your students grow into confident learners!
I truly believe if we make an effort to help our students gain a positive perspective when it comes to making mistakes, then they will gain the confidence to make mistakes and continue to improve, developing into lifelong learners!
What are some of the struggles your students have when it comes to making mistakes? Comment below, I'd love to talk to you more about this!