“Grit”: What is it, and how can it help our children to succeed?

Good morning, friends!

Recently, our school newsletter had a great column about how we can build the quality of “Grit” in our children, which is another way of saying “persistence” or “perseverance.” The column included a link to a Ted Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth, which I found to be excellent. It is only 6 minutes long and well worth your while. I have included some of my favorite quotes below:

…what if doing well in school, and in life, depends on much more than your ability to learn quickly and easily?

…one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t I.Q. It was grit.

…Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

…there are many talented individuals who simply do not follow through on their commitments. In fact, in our data, grit is usually unrelated or even inversely related to measures of talent.

…So far the best idea I’ve heard about building grit in kids is something called “growth mindset”…it is the belief that the ability to learn is not fixed, that it can change with your effort.

Watch the talk if you have a few minutes, and then share your thoughts with us!