LEGO study reveals girls' self-expression barriers: fear of mistakes and pressure for perfection
|Published
Failure is a part of learning and growing and having fun should always be the biggest goal of play. But many children – particularly girls – aren’t always free to express themselves or try new things without the pressure of perfection holding them back.
A recent global study conducted by the LEGO Group highlights a concerning trend among young girls regarding creativity and self-expression.
The survey, which included responses from girls aged five to 12, reveals that over 60% of them feel reluctant to share their ideas due to a fear of making mistakes.
Furthermore, three in five girls reported feeling pressured to be perfect. This study sheds light on the challenges young girls face in embracing their creativity and the societal pressures that may be influencing their confidence.
Fear of mistakes and the pressure for perfection
The study’s findings indicate that a significant number of young girls are hesitant to express their ideas openly. This reluctance is often rooted in a fear of making mistakes, suggesting that girls are internalizing messages that discourage risk-taking and experimentation.
The pressure to be perfect adds another layer of complexity, as many girls feel the need to meet high standards, whether self-imposed or societal.
These pressures can have a lasting impact on girls’ development, potentially hindering their ability to explore their interests freely and develop crucial problem-solving skills. Creativity is a vital component of learning and growth, and the fear of making mistakes can stifle innovation and personal expression.
To counteract these trends, it is crucial to create environments where girls feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment. Encouraging open-ended play, where there are no right or wrong answers, can help girls build confidence in their creative abilities.
Schools and parents can play a pivotal role in fostering an atmosphere that celebrates creativity and values the learning process, including mistakes.
Here is an easy guide for parents, caregivers, and educators on how to build creative confidence in young girls.
Mind your language
We may not realise it, but adults often place undue pressure on girls to be perfect simply by the language we use when speaking to them.
Whether it’s offering praise for a job well done on a painting or craft, or commenting on a child’s efforts in any other area of life, it’s important to avoid gender-stereotypical language, like using the word ‘pretty’ for girls or ‘brave’ for boys.
Instead, try to mix it up, or offer praise more descriptively, like “I love the colours you chose for this painting!”
Show that it’s okay to fail
Society often views failure and making mistakes as a misstep or something to be avoided at all costs, but failure can actually be beneficial to learning and development.
For a child, learning to accept and even celebrate setbacks encourages them not to give up, but to learn from the experience and try, try again.
You can model this to children by being open and honest about a setback you’ve experienced at work, for example, not forgetting to include how you plan to get back up and overcome it.
“I can do difficult things.”
Encountering challenges in our day is perfectly normal, but where would the world be if everyone simply gave up when the going gets tough?
Help children to take frustration and discomfort in their stride by trying the “Eyes Shut” challenge – grab some LEGO bricks, close your eyes, and build something from your imagination without looking.
Open your eyes and discuss the outcome: Does this look the way I intended? How can I do it better next time?
Role models matter
From friends and family members to appropriate people they can admire from afar, allowing children to discover inspiring people to learn from can do wonders for sparking their creativity and boosting their confidence.
Guide them by explaining how the person’s specific accomplishments remind us all that we are capable of achieving great things.
Harness the power of play
The simple and instinctive act of play, especially when it is unhindered by rules or limitations, can be a great tool and time to encourage children to explore and build their creative courage.
Adults can help facilitate this process by getting involved in play activities, whether it’s pretend play or building with LEGO® bricks, by asking open-ended questions, such as “Tell me more about that” or “What do you love most about this game?”
This encourages children to put words to their feelings while building their confidence to express themselves.
Building creative confidence in our girls is crucial for so many reasons, from helping them find their feet in the future world of work to being able to stand up for themselves and their ideas.
LEGO play is one way to help promote boundless creativity in all children and, for girls, the lessons it teaches such as self-belief and courage, are invaluable.