Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese practice; an art form, of repairing broken pottery with gold. It's a metaphor that reminds us that our beauty is found in our imperfections.
Throughout the school years, I have projected this image onto the whiteboard to remind my students that perfect isn't interesting. Situations arise that required a pep talk or a confidence builder. Anxiety and even terror are common among students with autism. The need to be perfect or not make any mistakes was a daily battle in my classroom. I would tell my students that learning only happens when we make mistakes. Behaviors erupt and this is followed by remorse and tears and a promise to be better. It was time for me to pull out this beautiful image again.
I asked my students, "What would you rather have? An entire set of unbroken bowls, or just one of these bowls with the golden cracks?" After eight years of teaching the answer is always the same.
What strategies do you use to help your child “pick up the pieces” and recover from emotional breakdowns?
