THE LEARNING SPACE...

We all want our children to be successful, resilient, and confident in their learning. But here's a truth that may surprise you: Resilience doesn’t always feel resilient.

When our kids are learning something new—whether it's mastering a new skill, tackling a difficult math problem, or even learning to ride a bike—the journey between Not Knowing and Knowing can be tough. That space in the middle? It’s what we call the Learning Space, and it’s often filled with one feeling: Frustration.

You’ve probably noticed it too. Whether it's in school, at home, or on a team, learning something new often feels anything but comfortable. It’s easy to want to exit the process, give up, or think “I’ll never get this!” But what if we could change how we see that frustration?

The Learning Space: Where Growth Happens
The truth is, frustration is a sign that your child is actually learning. It’s not something to fear or avoid; it’s something to recognise and embrace. When your child is frustrated, they are in the Learning Space. This space is crucial because it’s where all the growth happens. It’s where they build skills, resilience, and the confidence that comes from pushing through the tough spots.

Do you see that wiggly line in the pic above? That line represents the journey from Not Knowing to Knowing. The   Learning Space is the in-between part—the part that’s messy, uncertain, and, yes, frustrating. But it’s also the part where resilience is built.

The Power of Frustration Tolerance
Here’s something many people get wrong: Resilience and success don’t come from reaching the 'Knowing' part as fast as possible. Success actually comes from how long we can tolerate the frustration of being in the Learning Space.It’s not about rushing to the finish line. It’s about how long can we stay with the frustration, work through it, and keep trying.

Why is this so important? Because most people think that resilience means quickly moving past frustration to “get it right.” But the real power lies in sticking with it, even when it feels hard. The longer they can stay in the Learning Space, the stronger and more capable they become. And eventually, they will get to the Knowing part—where they feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.

How to Support Your Child Through the Learning Space
So, what can you do as a parent to support your child when they’re in the Learning Space? Here are a few things you can try:

1. Normalise frustration: Teach your child that frustration is a natural part of learning. It doesn’t mean they’re failing—it means they’re growing.
2. Encourage persistence: Remind them that the more they push through frustration, the more resilient they’ll become. Tell them that success is about staying with the challenge, not avoiding it.
3. Celebrate small wins: Even if they haven’t fully figured it out yet, celebrate the effort and persistence. Encourage them to enjoy the journey, not just the outcome.
4. Model resilience: Show your child how you handle frustration and challenges in your own life. When they see you persist, they’ll understand that resilience is something they can develop too.

Empowering Your Child to Love the Learning Space
Here’s the empowering part: Once your child understands that frustration is part of the learning process, they can start to love it. They’ll recognise that every time they feel frustrated, they’re actually one step closer to figuring it out and mastering the skill. The more they can tolerate that frustration, the quicker they’ll move from Not Knowing to Knowing—and the more resilient they’ll become.

Remember, the Learning Space is where all the magic happens. It’s not about getting through it quickly, but about learning how to stay with it, ride the waves of frustration, and emerge stronger. So, next time your child feels frustrated with their learning, remind them: Frustration means they are learning. And that’s something worth celebrating!

With resilience and support, your child will thrive through the Learning Space and beyond.

BIG Love,

Trish and the WiggleBums Family x