GRIT & PERSERVERANCE
Promoting Non-Cognitive Skills to
Help Your Child Succeed in School
and Life
May 13, 2015
PS 452 Parent Engagement Evening
Laurence Debucquoy & Sharon Lustig
Agenda
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What are Non Cognitive vs. Cognitive Skills
What is Grit & Perseverance
Theories & History
How do you instill Grit in children?
Recommended Reading List
“Educating the mind without
educating the heart is no education
at all.” -Aristotle
Non Cognitive vs. Cognitive Skills
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Self Perception
Motivation
Perseverance
Self Control
Meta Cognitive Strategies
“Thinking about Thinking”
• Social Competencies
• Resilience & Coping
• Creativity
1976
Bowles & Gintis
Non Cognitive Skills
The Big 5 (Personality Traits)
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O
C
E
A
N
- Openness to Experiences
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism (vs. Emotional Stability)
What is Grit?
Maintain determination and motivation, passion
and commitment over long periods, despite
experiences of failure or adversity.
“stay the course”
Synonyms: courage, bravery, mettle, backbone, spirit, strength of
character, strength of will, moral fiber, steel, nerve, fortitude,
toughness, hardiness, resolve, resolution, determination
What is Perseverance?
Steadfastness in doing something, despite
difficulty or delay in achieving success.
synonyms: persistence, tenacity, determination, staying power,
indefatigability, steadfastness, purposefulness
Theories & History
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1926 Catherine Morris Cox (& Lewis Terman, Stanford Binet IQ Test)
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1960’s Walter Mischel, Stanford University: Marshmallow Test
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1962 Albert Ellis: ABC Model
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2001 No Child Left Behind Act
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2007 Angela Lee Duckworth, UPENN: Predicators of Greatness
 Tendency not to abandon tasks from mere changeability
 Tendency not to abandon tasks in face of obstacles
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2008 Carol Dweck, Stanford University:
 Fixed Intelligence vs. Growth Mind Set
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2013 Bipartisan Legislation:
 The Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act of 2013
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2013 U.S. Department Education Report: Promoting Grit, Tenacity, Perseverance and Critical
Factors for Success in the 21st Century
How do you instill GRIT in children?
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Optimistic Mindset
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“I think I can”
Develop a Growth Mindset
– Fixed Intelligence vs. Growth Mindset (Using the Mind as a Launching Pad and not
as Destiny)
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Coping with Set Backs/Disappointments
– ABC Model:
Adversity
Belief
Consequence
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Elements of Effective Praise
Foster Safe Circumstances that Encourage Grit
Learn to Concentrate
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Myth of Multi-tasking
Teach to Delay Gratification and Self Control
Connections
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Empathy, Support Network
How do you instill GRIT in children?
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Competence
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Moving Toward Goals
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Meta Cognitive Strategies
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Think Aloud
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Checklists, Rubrics, Organizers
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Explicit Modeling
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Contributions
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Acknowledge that Grit Requires Sacrifice
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Teach Self Care
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Nurture Positive Self View
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Accept Change as Part of Living
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Read Books about Grit
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Live “Grittily”
Recommended Reading List
Focus : the Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goleman
David and Goliath: Underdogs, misfits, and the Art of Battling
Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power
of Character by Paul Tough
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture
Your Child's Developing Mind Paperback by Daniel Siegel &
Tina Bryson
Recommended Reading List
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Down the Rabbit Hole: An Exploration of Student Grit,
Motivation and Scientific Inquiry by Daisy Sharrock
Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids
Roots and Wings Paperback by M.D. Kenneth R.
Ginsburg
The Grit Project by Gerry Stoltzfoos
Recommended Reading List
Damon, W. (2008). The path to purpose: How young people find their
calling in life
Emmons, R. A. (2007). Thanks!: How the new science of gratitude can
make you happier
Oettingen, G. (2014). Rethinking positive thinking: Inside the new
science of motivation
Seligman, M. E. (1990). Learned optimism: How to change your mind
and your life
2013 U.S. Department of Education report, Promoting Grit, Tenacity,
and Perseverance: Critical Factors for Success in the 21st Century
Recommended Websites
 www.edutopia.org
 www.eriaonline.com
 http://www.centerforresilientchildren.org/
 www.casel.org
 http://www.danielgoleman.info/
 http://inclusiveschools.org/
 http://theelearningcoach.com/
 http://www.morningsidecenter.org/
Recommended Websites
 http://character.org/
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacognition
 http://sites.sas.upenn.edu/duckworth/
 http://scottrigsby.com/
 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141015-angeladuckworth www.apa.org/helpcenter/resilience
 www.centerforresilientchildren.org