LEARN · PRACTISE · DISCOVER
Saying Sorry and Fixing Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. We might bump into someone, break a toy or say something unkind when we are upset. Making a mistake does not make you a bad person. What matters is what you do next. Today you will learn how to say sorry and help fix a mistake.
A real sorry
A good apology has three parts:
- Say what you did: “I’m sorry I knocked over your tower.”
- Show you understand: “That must have made you sad.”
- Help fix it: “Can I help you build it again?”
Mean it
A real sorry comes from the heart. Look at the person and use a gentle voice. A quick “sorry!” while running away does not help much.
Fixing the mistake
Sometimes we can fix what happened:
- Help rebuild something that broke.
- Pick up things that were spilled.
- Give back something we took.
- Do something kind to help the person feel better.
Example
At lunch, Omar bumped Zara’s arm and her juice spilled. Zara looked upset. Omar said, “I’m sorry I bumped you. Your juice spilled everywhere. Let me get some paper towels.” They cleaned up together, and Zara smiled again.
When someone says sorry to you
When someone says sorry, you can forgive them. Forgiving means you decide to let go of being angry. You can say:
- “Thank you for saying sorry.”
- “It’s okay, let’s keep playing.”
If you still feel upset, that is okay too. You can say, “Thank you. I need a little time.” Feelings take time to settle.
Mistakes help us learn
| Mistake | What we can learn |
|---|---|
| Ran too fast and bumped someone | Walk inside and look ahead |
| Said something unkind when angry | Use a calm-down tool first |
| Forgot to share | Offer turns next time |
Key takeaways
- Everyone makes mistakes.
- A real sorry says what you did, shows you understand and offers to help.
- Fixing the mistake shows you care.
- Forgiving others helps friendships grow again.
Practice
Read this story: Mia took Ben’s crayon without asking, and Ben felt upset. What could Mia say and do? Use the three parts of a real sorry.
Answer: Mia could say, “I’m sorry I took your crayon without asking. That wasn’t fair and you felt upset. Here it is back. Next time I will ask first.”