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

by Paul Tough

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Tough synthesizes research from neuroscience, economics, and psychology to argue that the qualities that matter most for children's success are character strengths like grit, curiosity, and conscientiousness rather than cognitive ability alone. He profiles researchers and educators working at the intersection of poverty, stress, and child development to reveal how adverse childhood experiences shape the brain and what interventions can help.

Published:: 2012
Pages:: 231

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In the Conversation

In this collection, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character references 4 other books.

It draws on Mindset, The Power of Habit and Emotional Intelligence.

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What This Book Draws On

The books Tough references and why each one mattered to the argument.

Tough discusses Dweck's growth mindset research extensively, interviewing her about how children's beliefs about intelligence and effort shape their willingness to persist through academic challenges

References

Mindset

by Carol Dweck

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Tough profiles the same character-development research that Duhigg explores in The Power of Habit, showing how KIPP charter schools systematically build habits of self-control and persistence in children from disadvantaged backgrounds

References

The Power of Habit

by Charles Duhigg

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Tough references Goleman's emotional intelligence framework in discussing how character strengths including self-regulation and social awareness predict success beyond IQ

References

Emotional Intelligence

by Daniel Goleman

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Tough cites Sapolsky's stress physiology research from Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, quoting his insight that humans activate emergency stress responses chronically rather than acutely, damageing children's developing brains

References

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping

by Robert Sapolsky

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Intellectual Lineage

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Builds on (2 layers deep)

Directly cites

Mindset

The Power of Habit

Emotional Intelligence

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers:...

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Good to Great

Built to Last

Flow

Man's Search for Meaning

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Influence

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