(303) 979-9077
(303) 979-9077
[email protected]What is Grit?
The term “grit” describes a person who puts forth consistent effort and follow-through towards a goal. Angela Duckworth, math educator, psychologist, and author used the term after observing what made a successful algebra student, successful. IQ seemed to have little bearing on success.
As an algebra teacher, she noticed that students’ success in her class had more to do with their habits than any natural math aptitude or brilliance. Successful students in her algebra class had consistent work habits. They didn’t give up when they had a setback. She called this habit “grit.”
In her Ted Talk, Duckworth states “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your goals, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future into a reality.”
Succeeding in algebra, or calculus, or other advanced math courses takes stamina. Even if elementary school children don’t verbalize the goal of wanting to one day take advanced math, that is when preparation for math goals should start. The younger children are when they to develop “gritty” math habits like asking questions, focused study habits, and consistent practice, the more successful they will be. Einstein is attributed with saying “It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer” from Bite-Size Einstein: Quotations on Just About Everything from the Greatest Mind of the Twentieth.
Help Your Child Develop Grit at Mathnasium of Littleton
In her bestselling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Duckworth states “If you want to be grittier, find a gritty culture and join it.” She explains, it is easier to persistently chase a goal when everyone you see is persistently chasing a similar goal. You may wonder how you can “join a culture.” She isn’t just talking about major cultures like the American culture or the Chinese culture. Even small groups of people, like a team, a family, or a class can have a culture. In our article, Are You Inadvertently Teaching Helplessness? we talked about the family culture and how parents can be role models for a “can do” attitude.
We foster a gritty culture, too, at Mathnasium of Littleton. Our model shows that success comes from focused practice, day in and day out. Your children will develop gritty habits with us, and although we are a math-only learning center, the gritty habits kids learn with us often spread to other areas of life. Give us a call today! 303-979-9077
Other Articles about Successful Math Habits and Attitudes
We See a Brighter Future in Math
Where is Your Child on the Math Motivational Ladder?
We Make Taking Algebra Easier
Choose a Personalized Strategy to Meet Your Math Goals
What Math Tests Reveal About Your Child?
Use Praise Correctly to Increase Math Confidence
Does Your Child Need a Math Coach?
A Step-by-Step Plan to Rock Your Math Final
How Do Mathnasium’s Mission and Guiding Principles Impact Your Experience at Mathnasium of Littleton
Referenced Articles:
Math Skills Your Child Will Need as an Adult
Are You Inadvertently Teaching Helplessness?
Math Takes Time to Conquer
This is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Littleton has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should purchase it at http://hdwrite.com before using it.
