How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

In How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, Paul Tough, a journalist with a focus on education and poverty, delves into the pivotal role that noncognitive skills play in shaping children’s ability to overcome adversity and achieve success. This nonfiction work challenges conventional wisdom on educational success, positing that qualities such as perseverance, resilience, and self-control are more indicative of long-term success than traditional measures of intelligence.

Tough leverages his extensive background in reporting on American education and social policies, synthesizing a wealth of research from neuroscience, psychology, and education, to present a compelling argument for reevaluating how success is cultivated.

Since its publication in 2012, How Children Succeed has sparked significant discussion and debate on educational reform. Through its analysis and narratives, Tough’s work invites readers to consider the complex web of factors that contribute to a child’s ability to thrive in the face of challenges.

This guide references the 2012 eBook edition by HarperCollins.

Summary

How Children Succeed explores the factors that contribute to success, moving beyond traditional metrics of intelligence and academic achievement. Throughout the book, Tough challenges the conventional wisdom that success is solely a product of cognitive skills as measured by IQ and standardized test scores. Instead, he posits that noncognitive skills—such as perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control—are the most crucial determinants of success.

The book is structured around narratives from a variety of educational settings—from elite private schools to underprivileged public schools—and includes insights from educators, researchers, and students. Tough interweaves these stories with findings from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and sociology to paint a comprehensive picture of how adversity and personal qualities interact to shape a child’s future.

Tough begins with the impact of stress and adversity on children’s development. As the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study shows a correlation between early trauma and negative outcomes in adulthood, Tough argues that the stress of adversity can disrupt the development of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, impairing the executive functions critical for success. However, Tough also presents a hopeful view, emphasizing that early interventions and supportive relationships can mitigate these effects: Programs like OneGoal in Chicago and the character education initiatives at Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Academy illustrate how targeting noncognitive skills can dramatically improve students’ trajectories.

Central to Tough’s thesis is the concept of grit, popularized by psychologist Angela Duckworth. Grit describes perseverance and passion for long-term goals, and it plays a pivotal role in overcoming challenges. Tough contrasts various institutions, juxtaposing the chess team at Intermediate School 318 in Brooklyn with students at the affluent Riverdale Country School, to show that grit and other noncognitive skills can help close the achievement gap between students with adverse backgrounds and more privileged students. Fostering these skills requires challenging students with real-world problems, providing supportive feedback, and teaching them to learn from failures.

Tough also delves into the importance of supportive adult relationships in children’s lives. The story of chess instructor Elizabeth Spiegel illustrates how high expectations combined with support can motivate students to excel. Tough argues that while warmth and nurturance are essential, particularly in early childhood, adolescents benefit significantly from adults who challenge them intellectually and believe in their potential. This belief in potential, coupled with a supportive environment, helps students develop the resilience they need to face challenges.

Tough criticizes overprotective parenting and educational practices that shield children from failure, suggesting that by preventing children from experiencing failure, parents and educators are depriving them of the opportunity to develop resilience and grit. He advocates for a balanced approach that allows children to encounter challenges, learn from their mistakes, and develop the capacity to persevere through difficulties.

Throughout the book, Tough incorporates insights from neuroscience and psychology to support his arguments. Chronic stress can alter brain development and affect children’s ability to control impulses and focus on tasks, while the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a role in regulating the body’s stress response. Interventions that reduce stress can effectively aid struggling students whose academic performance is impaired by adverse experiences.

Tough also addresses the implications of his findings for educational policy and practice. He calls for a shift in focus from standardized testing and cognitive skill development alone to a more holistic approach that includes character development. He suggests that schools should prioritize creating environments where students can develop a range of noncognitive skills, from grit to empathy.

How Children Succeed challenges readers to reconsider the factors that contribute to success. By focusing on the importance of noncognitive skills, early interventions, and supportive relationships, Tough offers a new perspective on education and child development. Through a combination of personal narratives and scientific research, he provides insights for parents, educators, and policymakers alike. Ultimately, Tough’s work is a call to action—a plea for a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to helping children navigate the challenges of growing up. It’s a reminder that success is not predetermined by IQ but by character.