The importance of grit plays a role in student success
When you hear the word grit, the image that most likely comes to mind is of small stones or sand. You might even associate the word with the clenching of teeth when someone is faced with an unpleasant or painful situation or activity. Even though what I mentioned are accurate definitions of grit, there is another meaning: courage and resolve, or simply perseverance. This particular definition is typically used to describe a person’s character. Presently, the topic of grit has become popular in the field of education and how it plays a role in student success. One of the top experts of grit is the researcher Angela Duckworth, who based on her research studies has added “passion for long-term goals” to the definition of grit.
Researchers, such as Angela Duckworth, conduct studies to answer questions like: Why do some individuals accomplish more than others of equal intelligence or ability? What has been concluded is that grit may be the quality or personal characteristic that sets highly successful individuals apart from everyone else. The wonderful thing about this great discovery is also learning that grit is not something that we are born with, but instead can be developed in a person. As an educator, I find this revelation extremely encouraging and groundbreaking. Being able to help students, especially in the earlier grades, learn how to work hard and stick to their long-term passions and goals is phenomenal. The development of grit is not only a quality that would benefit individuals during their school years, but also throughout every area of their lives.
It is especially critical for kids to understand at a young age that it is OK to feel confused when learning something new. It is also important for them to know that making mistakes or taking longer to complete an assignment or task is also a normal part of the learning process and not a sign of inadequacy or failure. Teachers and parents helping students and/or their children to develop grit will greatly reduce the likelihood of them developing a tendency to give up easily when they encounter challenges, adversity and conflict throughout their lives. It is crystal clear that possessing a high level of grit is a tremendous asset for an individual. It behooves educators, parents and caregivers to aid in its development in their students and/or children.
Here are some helpful tips in the development of grit in children:
• Help children learn the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is behavior that is driven by internal rewards. It is behavior that is driven from within the person. Extrinsic motivation is behavior that is driven by external rewards such as money, fame, grades, and praise. Individuals that are high in grit tend to be motivated intrinsically versus extrinsically. If your young person seems to be more externally motivated, one way to help them move to be more intrinsically motivated is to consistently highlight the times they complete things on their own without being told or coerced. Also don’t always be so quick to praise your child when they demonstrate perseverance in an area. Doing so can become an extrinsic motivation and takes away from them learning how to work toward completing a goal for their own benefit.
• When students/children give incorrect answers, do not immediately give them the answer or move on to the next person. Give your student/child the opportunity to think through the question posed to them and offer a new answer after they have had time to contemplate. This helps them to learn how to persevere even in times when they may feel uncomfortable.
• Do not be quick to accept “I don’t know” from your students and/ or children. Encourage students to come up with answers to questions they are asked through the use of evidence and thinking critically about the subject matter or topic at hand. If they get stuck, help guide them in identifying where they are feeling stuck in coming up with an answer.
Michelle Thomas is the director of TRIO programs at Arizona Western College. She can be reached at Michelle. Thomas@azwestern.edu.