What should my child do when a teacher corrects them publicly? 

Parenting Perspective 

Being corrected in front of peers can be a deeply stinging experience for a child, often leaving them feeling embarrassed, defensive, or angry. Your role is to help your child separate the teacher’s correction from their own self-worth, learn to respond calmly in the moment, and make a repair later if one is needed. 

Teach a Calm ‘Pause and Respond’ Technique 

Coach your child to use a simple, three-step response to manage the initial sting of a public correction. They can briefly lower their eyes, take one slow breath, and then reply with a short, respectful phrase. 

• ‘Okay, Miss.’ 

• ‘I understand.’ 

• ‘I will fix it now.’ 

This simple technique prevents the situation from escalating and demonstrates a high level of self-control. Role-playing it once at home can make it feel more accessible and achievable in the heat of the moment. 

Process the Feelings at Home 

After school, create a safe space for your child to talk about what happened. You can say, ‘It must have felt embarrassing because it was in front of everyone. That is a normal way to feel. But being corrected does not mean you are a bad student; it just means you are still learning.’ This helps to reframe the event as a part of the natural growth process, not as a moment of humiliation. 

Responding When the Teacher Was Fair 

If your child genuinely made a mistake, help them plan a simple next step. This could involve apologising briefly in private and then demonstrating better behaviour in the next class. A visible effort is often the most powerful way to show responsibility. For example: ‘Miss, I am sorry for calling out yesterday. I will make sure to raise my hand today.’ 

Responding When the Correction Felt Harsh 

If the correction felt unfair or was delivered harshly, validate your child’s feelings without fuelling resentment. You can teach them a respectful follow-up line to use with their teacher. For example: ‘Miss, I felt embarrassed when that was said in front of everyone. Next time, would it be possible for you to tell me privately?’ For younger children, you may need to raise this concern with the teacher directly on their behalf. 

Building Resilience for the Future 

Equip your child with a small, powerful mantra they can remember when they feel criticised. A simple phrase like, ‘Correction is about what I did, not who I am,’ can be very effective. At home, encourage them to share one positive action they took during the day as proof that they are more than just the one mistake that was corrected. 

Closing your conversation by reinforcing their sense of belonging is crucial: ‘You are loved here. A correction is about an action, never about your worth.’ Over time, your child will learn that their dignity can remain intact even when feedback is delivered publicly. 

Spiritual Insight 

Accepting Correction with Humility 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 63: 

‘And the true servants of the One Who is Most Beneficent are those who wander around the Earth with humility; and when they are addressed by the ignorant people, they say: “Peace be unto you”.’ 

This verse reminds us that humility and the use of calm, peaceful words are marks of true strength. Encourage your child to practise gentleness when they are corrected, even if they feel stung by the words. Offering a quiet, respectful reply is, in itself, an act of worship (ibadah), as it reflects the noble qualities of patience and dignity. 

The Wisdom in Responding to Anger 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6114, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong person is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the strong one is the one who controls himself while in anger.’ 

This hadith teaches that real strength lies in self-control, not in reacting aggressively. Remind your child that their true power in a moment of public correction is demonstrated by their ability to pause, breathe, and reply with respect. Afterwards, they can still choose to make a repair or raise their concerns, but they will be doing so from a position of calm strength.