Developing Grit in children – 12 Strategies

Developing grit in children is an essential aspect of nurturing their long-term success and well-being. Here are some strategies to help cultivate grit in children:

1. Model Perseverance: Children often learn by observing their parents or caregivers. Demonstrating perseverance and resilience in your own pursuits can serve as a powerful example for them to follow.
2. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Teach children that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. Emphasize the value of hard work and the idea that challenges are opportunities to grow and improve.
3. Set Specific Goals: Help children set clear and achievable goals. Guide them in breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate their progress and effort along the way.
4. Allow for Autonomy: Give children some control over their activities and decisions. Autonomy fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, encouraging them to persist in their pursuits.
5. Teach Resilience: Help children understand that setbacks and failures are a natural part of learning and growing. Encourage them to bounce back from disappointments and try again with renewed determination.
6. Supportive Environment: Create a supportive and nurturing environment where children feel safe to take risks and explore their interests. Provide constructive feedback and avoid overly criticizing their mistakes.
7. Promote a Love for Learning: Encourage a love for learning by exposing children to a wide range of experiences, subjects, and hobbies. Help them find activities they are passionate about.
8. Limit Instant Gratification: In today’s world of instant gratification, teach children the value of delayed gratification and the rewards that come with sustained effort and patience.
9. Develop Emotional Intelligence: Help children recognize and manage their emotions effectively. Emotionally resilient children can better cope with challenges and setbacks.
10. Teach Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help children stay focused, calm, and resilient in the face of difficulties.
11. Acknowledge Effort: Praise children for their hard work and effort, rather than solely focusing on their achievements. This reinforces the importance of the process and encourages continued perseverance.
12. Encourage Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, or community service, can provide valuable opportunities for children to develop grit through commitment and practice.

Remember, developing grit is a gradual process that requires patience and consistency. Every child is unique, so tailor your approach to suit their individual needs and interests. By fostering a growth mindset and providing a supportive environment, you can help children build resilience, determination, and grit, which will serve them well throughout their lives.

I’d highly recommend grabbing a copy of ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance‘ by Angela Duckworth. Here’s a summary of the book that I found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWctLEdIgi4

Or watch Angela Duckworth’s TED Talk here, it has over 12 million views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8

Please share your stories on how you built ‘Grit’ in your children or students over the years in the comment section below.