In a world that often values success above everything else, failure is presented as something that many try to avoid, especially when it comes to children. However, it is a natural and inevitable part of life, and learning to cope with it is a fundamental skill. Although they are usually perceived only as entertainment, video games offer a unique opportunity for children to experience failure in a safe and controlled environment. At Kidmons, we believe that losing at games can play a key role in building resilience, teaching to manage setbacks and motivating to keep going even when things don’t go as we expected.
Lessons of resilience
Video games are designed to present challenges and obstacles, and losing is a natural part of the process. Whether it’s a complicated level, a difficult opponent or a strategy that doesn’t work, players are constantly faced with situations where they can fail. At Kidmons, we see these moments not as failures, but as valuable learning opportunities. Games teach that losing is not the end, but one more step towards the success. By facing difficulties, children learn to recover, experiment with new strategies and persevere until they achieve their goal.
And the experience of losing at games offers more than just developing perseverance. It also teaches to regulate emotions, as children learn to handle disappointment and frustration when things do not turn out as they expected. In real life, setbacks are inevitable, and learning to face them with resilience becomes a fundamental skill. Games offer a controlled environment in which children can safely experience such emotions, helping them to develop emotional intelligence. By seeing failure as an opportunity to learn, they adopt a healthier mindset that sees challenges as opportunities to improve rather than reasons to give up.
In addition, losing at games encourages creative thinking. When faced with a mistake, children are often driven to think differently. In many games, losing teaches them to reevaluate their approach and create new strategies. This problem-solving process improves their ability to think critically, adapt and innovate. Whether they are solving a puzzle, developing a strategy against an opponent or learning from their past mistakes, the ability to approach problems from different perspectives is a skill that goes beyond the game and can be later applied at school, work and daily life.
Losing also teaches the importance of persistence. It is not uncommon for children to face multiple defeats before achieving success in a game, which teaches them the value of not giving up. Whether it’s a difficult boss fight or a challenging puzzle, perseverance is key to overcoming obstacles. Children learn that progress is usually incremental and that even small improvements over time are valuable. This mindset of persistence is crucial in life, as it helps them understand that success does not come immediately and that constant effort is what leads to progress.
Another benefit of losing at games is that it encourages a growth mindset. This mindset is based on the belief that skills and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. When children face failure at games, they are encouraged to see their mistakes as opportunities to improve, rather than seeing them as signs of inability. This mindset is critical for long-term learning and success. Children who accept that failure is part of growing up are more likely to take risks, try new things and approach challenges with a positive attitude.
Learning to stay calm and focused
One of the key lessons losing at games can teach is how to stay calm and focus when faced with setbacks. When a child loses, they have to deal with frustration, disappointment and even embarrassment. This is a powerful moment that can be used for emotional growth. Instead of giving up, children are encouraged to reflect about what happened, analyze what went wrong and try again. It is through this process that they learn to manage their emotions, control their impulses and persevere in challenging situations.
Developing problem-solving skills
Games often require children to think critically and find solutions to problems they are presented with. By losing, they have the opportunity to reevaluate their approach, understand what went wrong and improve. This problem-solving process goes beyond the game, as it allows them to apply later the lessons learned to real situations, such as facing a challenging school project, resolving disagreements with friends or overcoming personal obstacles. The ability to reflect and adapt is invaluable in all areas of life.
Building trust through recovery
Although losing can be daunting, it also offers an opportunity for children to build confidence. After a defeat, they learn that it is not the end. They can recover, try again and, with persistence, finally succeed. This process of overcoming failure helps them develop self-confidence and a growth mindset. At Kidmons, we emphasize the importance of celebrating the small victories along the way. Every time a child perseveres and overcomes a challenge, it strengthens their belief in their own abilities, which increases their overall confidence.
Promoting a positive attitude in the face of failure
At Kidmons, we strive to instill the belief that failure is not something to be afraid of, but a natural and necessary part of growth. By normalizing failure at games, children develop a healthier attitude towards challenges. They learn that setbacks are not permanent and that they are, in fact, opportunities to grow and improve. This mindset is essential for developing resilience, as it allows them to face new challenges while understanding that every mistake is just another step towards success.
Conclusion
Building resilience is a vital skill that will accompany children throughout their life. Through the experience of losing at games, they learn to handle disappointment, persist in the face of challenges, and develop essential problem-solving skills. At Kidmons we believe that video games can be a powerful tool to teach children how to navigate failure with grace and determination. By helping them understand that failure does not reflect their worth, but is a stepping stone on the path to success, we empower them to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
