5 Steps to Raising Gritty Kids
The dictionary defines grit as “courage and determination despite difficulty”. Angela Ducksworth defines it as sustaining passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
In her popular 2013 TED talk, Angela Duckworth says, “One characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks or physical health, and it wasn’t IQ. It was grit.”
Some psychologists argue that grit is the same as the Big Five Personality trait ‘conscientiousness” and that the correlation between success and grit is not as strong as Duckworth claims. However, there is something to be said about sticking with something despite the short-term discomfort your might experience, especially if it impacts the long-term results you want to achieve.
Five Ways to encourage grit in our children
Set goals and teach them what a growth mindset is:
Make sure the goals are SMART and remind them that setbacks and failures are opportunities for learning and growth, rather than reasons for giving up. Foster a growth mindset by emphasizing effort, persistence, and the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Often it helps that these small goals be centred around something the child is interested in- eg a charity, a sport, an instrument or reading.
Foster a supportive and nurturing environment:
Create and make space for risk taking and self-led interests. This might mean teaching them how to use the oven and a kitchen knife or letting them climb to the top of a tree. Encourage open communication, provide constructive feedback, and offer support when they are stuck and frustrated. Avoid phrases like “I told you so.” and encourage your child to get curious about mistakes along the way.
Teach self-regulation and resilience
Help children develop self-regulation skills, such as managing emotions, delaying gratification, and staying focused on tasks. Having a set routine helps with delayed gratification (eg. Ice cream only in the summer or movies only on Fridays). Acknowledge feelings and let them be and then model self-regulation techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and problem-solving. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Lead by example
Model grit by demonstrating perseverance, resilience, and a positive attitude toward challenges. Share stories of individuals who have overcome adversity and achieved success through hard work and determination. Highlight the importance of persistence and effort in accomplishing meaningful goals. You could even set goals together such as running a race or reading a certain number of pages each night.
