"Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence. Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter most have more to do with character: skills like perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control.”
That quick overview says it well. Its an interesting read in context of today’s world where there is affront on family and certainly the value of character om many sides. Key contributors and indicators of success in college and after-college life are basically maternal attachment and character development.
I frequently reflected, during my reading, on the scout law and its list of: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent;And if ever young man between 11-16 was involved in scouting, what a difference it would make. Couple it with the core of self-control and willpower. (perhaps showing the video of the marshmallow test to discuss with kids self-control and will power would be a good thought starter)
Teenagers have an issue with “incentive processing system” which makes you more sensation seeking more emotional and reactive more attentive the social information works in conflict with cognitive control system allows you to regulate urges. Metacognitive substitute for willpower by making yourself a rule you can sidestep the painful internal conflict between your desire for and willful determinations to resist them. Provide structure preparing preparing us for encounters with tempting stimuli redirecting attention elsewhere (eg. sing a hymn when a bad thought arises -create a default response to ft do the good thing)
Optimism was identified as a critical attribute. Pessimist react to negative events by explaining them as permanent personal and pervasive Optimist look at them for the specific limited and short term
High-quality mothering connect a child to the powerful buffer against the damage that adversity and fix the child stress response system (maternal attachment). Parents can overcome histories of trauma and poor attachment they can change their approach to their children. Poor attachment can be broken because there's opportunity for growth and improvement.
Whether or not intelligences is malleable mindset certainly is-switch kids from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset -character attributes are equally Malleable. He cites multiple testing where character ratings are better indicator of college success than cognitive skill test such as SAT.
Critical component of college success non-cognitive academic skills during study skills including study skills,work habits, time management, help seeking behavior , social/academic problem solving skills-taught by emphasizing resourcefulness ambition Professionalism resilience integrity -with work in character development destinies are malleable past performance is not indication of future results
Kids need the ability to manage failure. In fact they need the opportunity to fail to develop the life-long skill and coping devices. Need for a secure relationship with a care giver teaching them to manage stress. As such Family functioning matters!
Character matters -GRIT, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS, RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE, OPTIMISM; add: curiosity, self-control, self-confidence, gratitude
Unfortunately society debates over character attributes being to value oriented. As for me I’m on the side of character development. I embrace the LDS Youth Program and the ideals of scouting: “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law”
There is a real necessity to help all youth, regardless of religious orientation, to get on the first wrung to the ladder of success; and it appears that family and character is a great place to begin.
