Paul Tough on How Environments Can Help Children Build Curiosity and Grit

Journalist Paul Tough’s 2012 bestseller “How Children Succeed” popularized the idea that character strengths like grit, self-control and curiosity are crucial to a child’s success. The education world has been quick to embrace the notion of grit, but Tough says there is no evidence that these traits can actually be taught. His new book, “Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why,” looks at ways to create home and school environments, particularly in areas of poverty, to foster these skills.

Related Links:

• Paul Tough’s website
• An excerpt of “Helping Children Succeed”
• Study Links Childhood Trauma to Adult Depression, Physical Ailments (Forum archives)
• Should Teachers Be Held Responsible for a Student’s Character? (MindShift)