“Dear Parents, step away from the library craft”

There is no doubt that watching someone do something the “incorrect” way is difficult to watch. It’s almost impossible not to butt in and correct, comment, or take over.

However, as difficult as this effort in self-restraint may be, it is absolutely essential for our children to have the opportunity to learn, get things wrong, and eventually self-correct without us chiming in. This means listening to the alphabet sung out of order, watching them “clean” the floor with a dirty cloth, and accepting that the doll will be a unicorn for this moment in play. This also means sitting back and watching them complete the craft activity at the library without making sure theirs looks exactly the same as the model at the end.

Errorless learning and errorless play are powerful approaches for supporting young children, particularly in their early developmental years. They take away the judgment and self-critical voice (that a lot of us live with) so that the child can deeply immerse themselves in the activity without interruption from the parent or caregiver. When we interrupt and correct children, we take away from the spontaneity and joy in the activity, leaving only “right” or “wrong” ways of expressing themselves.

When children are left to figure things out for themselves, they feel successful, and they are more likely to persist, take risks, and develop a positive sense of themselves as capable learners.

In the context of play, this becomes even more important. Play is not a teaching moment—it is a space for connection, creativity, and expression. When adults step in to instruct, question, or correct, it interrupts the natural flow of a child’s imagination and shifts the focus from joy to performance. Errorless play invites parents and caregivers to take a step back, follow the child’s lead, and simply be present. It’s about noticing, joining in when invited, and valuing the process rather than the outcome.

So please step away from the library craft, bite your tongue when they are counting, and accept that the doll will be a unicorn for this moment today.