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WASHINGTON TERRACE — A growing body of research suggests helping your child develop grit could be their best indicator for success in life.
Using that idea, Washington Terrace Elementary teachers are doing what they can to cultivate grit one classroom at a time.
Third-grader Dallas Gibbs said going home sometimes makes him upset because he didn't fully understand everything.
"He'd be frustrated with himself," said his mom, K.C. Gibbs. "He would say, 'I'm just not good at this mom, I can't do this.'"
Dallas Gibbs' feelings about homework are quickly changing thanks to the help of some Weber State University psychology students. They are working with his class to help them go from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
"The belief that we are born with so much intelligence and it's pretty much going to stay the same no matter what we do," said Weber State professor Melinda Stamp, describing a fixed mindset. She said a growth mindset is the belief that with effort you can become more intelligent.
Changing that mindset involves changing the way kids look at failure. Weber State Professor Maria Parrilla De Kokal said they want the kids to see failures merely as setbacks and part of the learning process. Something some researchers call grit.
Researcher Angela Duckworth along with her team have studied children and adults in tough situations to see who would succeed.
"It wasn't social intelligence, it wasn't good looks, physical health and it wasn't IQ. It was grit," Duckworth explains.
The research is still in its early stages at Washington Terrace Elementary, but teachers say they can already see a difference in their students.
"If I keep trying and trying, it will be better and it will be easier," said one student while another explained, "It's really fun to do and it helps your brain grow stronger."
Back at the Gibbs home, homework and playtime have become less of a struggle even when Minecraft, a popular video game, doesn't go right.
"It won't work the first time and he can build that 10 times before he gets it right and he's okay with that," K.C. Gibbs said.
"We need to be gritty about getting our kids grittier," Duckworth said.
Parents also play a big role in helping kids become gritty. When it comes to praising our kids researchers say the way we word it can make a big difference. Instead of saying, "You're such a good singer," try, "You really worked hard to learn that song." Instead of "You're a natural, you'll be the next Peyton Manning," focus on the work and say "Your efforts and practice are paying off."
If your child gets a bad grade on a test, avoid "you're just not a math person." Try, "It may take more time for you to catch on to this, but if you keep working, you'll get it."
