School lessons about grit are in a class of their own
by Mervin Straughan
July 2020
In a "normal year," thousands of teaching staff here in the UK would be reflecting on their recent leaver presentations, hopeful they've shared an important lesson for life with those students who've said their farewells. Despite Covid 19, some events have gone ahead but the format has been different and distant.
Headteachers and guest speakers often use their farewell addresses, particularly in secondary schools, to highlight the importance of character, teamwork and the opportunity to make a positive impact on society. Developing lasting friendships is another popular theme. However, the big takeaway, is usually that we get from life what we put into it.
The what we put into it relies on our amounts of grit – an amalgam of ambition, determination, passion, persistence and resilience. And recognition of the need to focus on life's long game.
This combination is a powerful predictor of lifetime success, according to Angela Duckworth, US psychologist and author of the bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
While teaching seventh-grade maths, she analysed the grit of her pupils and established that it determined their success or failure in school, work and relationships. Although some pupils didn't have stratospheric IQs, they had the grit to persevere over the long term regardless of family income challenges or school environment. Many more talented kids were unable to achieve success because they lacked the staying power.
Duckworth also discusses her findings in a well-received TED talk, which, at the time of writing this post, had secured 20 million views.
GROWTH MINDSET
Parents and teachers frequently ask her how they can cultivate grittiness in children. While she admits to not having all the answers, she's confident that developing a growth mindset can play a major role.
The fixed mindset versus growth mindset theory emerged from research by Stamford psychologist Carol Dweck and her colleagues who explored students' attitudes towards failure, learning and intelligence. Dweck wanted to know why some students were derailed and devastated by even small setbacks while others were able to rebound stronger and more confident.
Those with fixed mindsets believe only intelligence and talent will make them succeed. For them, effort is unnecessary. They see intelligence and talent as fixed traits that don't change so won't work to improve them.
Growth mindset individuals believe that intelligence and learning can be developed and improved over time and through experience. They're more likely to learn from their mistakes and know they can do something about the situation. These learners are more likely to rise to challenges. They recognise that effort has a huge impact on their success so will devote the time needed.
In the same way we use grit (crushed rock salt these days) to melt the ice and snow from our roads in winter or use sandpaper grit to clean and smooth an object, we can draw upon the attrition powers of our personalities to tackle the challenges that life presents us.
And if we learn from the experience, we'll be better for it.
July 2020
In a "normal year," thousands of teaching staff here in the UK would be reflecting on their recent leaver presentations, hopeful they've shared an important lesson for life with those students who've said their farewells. Despite Covid 19, some events have gone ahead but the format has been different and distant.Headteachers and guest speakers often use their farewell addresses, particularly in secondary schools, to highlight the importance of character, teamwork and the opportunity to make a positive impact on society. Developing lasting friendships is another popular theme. However, the big takeaway, is usually that we get from life what we put into it.
The what we put into it relies on our amounts of grit – an amalgam of ambition, determination, passion, persistence and resilience. And recognition of the need to focus on life's long game.
This combination is a powerful predictor of lifetime success, according to Angela Duckworth, US psychologist and author of the bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
Duckworth also discusses her findings in a well-received TED talk, which, at the time of writing this post, had secured 20 million views.
GROWTH MINDSET
Parents and teachers frequently ask her how they can cultivate grittiness in children. While she admits to not having all the answers, she's confident that developing a growth mindset can play a major role.
The fixed mindset versus growth mindset theory emerged from research by Stamford psychologist Carol Dweck and her colleagues who explored students' attitudes towards failure, learning and intelligence. Dweck wanted to know why some students were derailed and devastated by even small setbacks while others were able to rebound stronger and more confident.
Those with fixed mindsets believe only intelligence and talent will make them succeed. For them, effort is unnecessary. They see intelligence and talent as fixed traits that don't change so won't work to improve them.
Growth mindset individuals believe that intelligence and learning can be developed and improved over time and through experience. They're more likely to learn from their mistakes and know they can do something about the situation. These learners are more likely to rise to challenges. They recognise that effort has a huge impact on their success so will devote the time needed.
In the same way we use grit (crushed rock salt these days) to melt the ice and snow from our roads in winter or use sandpaper grit to clean and smooth an object, we can draw upon the attrition powers of our personalities to tackle the challenges that life presents us.
And if we learn from the experience, we'll be better for it.