
Learning How to Fail at a Children’s Museum
“Every mistake is a portal of discovery.” — James Joyce In a world that increasingly pressures children to get the right answer, follow the rules, and perform on cue, children’s museums offer something radical: permission to get things wrong. Here, failure isn’t just tolerated—it’s celebrated as a key ingredient in learning. At Museo dei Bambini, children are invited to explore, experiment, and yes, fail. Not because we want them to stumble, but because we know that through falling down, misjudging, and trying again, they build resilience, creativity, and confidence. In the words of Piaget, “Children have real understanding only of that which they invent themselves.” Why Failure Matters in Learning Failure, when experienced in a safe, supportive environment, is one of the most powerful drivers of cognitive development. According to the theory of constructivism developed by Jean Piaget, children build knowledge through active engagement with their environment. Mistakes are not setbacks—they are stepping stones. Stanford professor Manu Kapur has demonstrated the value of productive failure, a concept that encourages learners to attempt solving problems before receiving instruction. His research shows that students who struggle initially often outperform those who are taught solutions right away. In one study, Kapur found that