How do we teach kids to be gritty enough to succeed?
Today, we're talking to Paul Tough about grit. What is it? Here's how it's explained by one academic study:
We define grit as perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina. Whereas disappointment or boredom signals to others that it is time to change trajectory and cut losses, the gritty individual stays the course.
One of the researchers on that study, Angela Duckworth, says that grit may be as important as intelligence when it comes to success in school and at work.
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To dig deeper, check out the American RadioWorks documentary Grit, Luck and Money.
If you're a student, parent or teacher, what have you learned about resilience, determination or grit?
Also, how resilient are you?
--Stephanie Curtis, social media host