How To Teach Grit
I have a child who will often shy away from challenges. She won’t try to do new things. I know a lot of this comes from the fear of failure. The fear of not being good enough. There are many resources out there to explain the importance of grit and perseverance, but how do you teach it? As a parent I could leave it up to fate, but I want to put some grit into this parenting gig. I want all of my kids to succeed in life, so I’ve been digging deep into this topic and have found ways to teach this skill.
There’s an educational buzz phrase going around called growth mindset. This is when students know they can improve any skill when they work hard. This is an important phrase to instill into our kids, because as we all know not everything will come easy to us. The thrill of learning is when your hard work pays off. When something seemed so hard now becomes easy and enjoyable to do. People with a growth mindset will not only do better in life, but they will also find life more enjoyable.
My heart’s desire is for my daughter to develop her talents at her full potential. I want her to believe with persistence and hard work she can find creative solutions to any challenge that stands in her way.
“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” – Angela Duckworth
How to Teach Grit
5. Find An Interest
It’s important to find what your child is interested in doing. One way to find your child’s interest is to give them a “temperature check”. This is where you give your child a list of possible themes to study throughout the year. Dinosaurs? Countries? Animals? Do the same with extracurricular activities. Soccer? Dance? Art? After you have discovered your child’s interest and passion, work with them on making it a deliberate practice. How much can they learn about a certain country? How long can they practice soccer each day?
We all have our work cut out for us. Don’t just assume your child will pick up grit as they get older. Plant the seeds now to ensure a successful harvest.
- The One Hard Thing Rule