Teaching At-Risk Youth, the Learning Strategy called GRIT

ARISE Blog, Teaching Children about GRIT

Grit is defined as passion and perseverance in pursuit of long-term goals. Grit is not talent nor luck. It is having a goal and working toward that goal. Not giving up.  Angela Duckworth has popularized the concept of Grit. Grit is a life skill that can be learned. Angela Duckworth said: “Grit may not be sufficient for success, but it sure is necessary. If we want our children to have a shot at a productive and satisfying life, we adults should make it our concern to provide them with the two things all children deserve: challenges to exceed what they were able to do yesterday and the support that makes that growth possible.

Ways You Can Teach Grit

  • Praise the effort more than the accomplishment
  • Coach the individual instead of taking over
  • Be Patient
  • Let them fail
  • Share examples of grit
  • Reframe problems

Angela Duckworth has a grit scale that can measure one’s grit level. Look at it and use it yourself or with the youth you work with. This scale is good for self-refection. There is allot of discussion that will come out of its use which will encourage the youth to reflect on how they feel and act.

Angela Duckworth, Grit Scale

GRIT: The ability to keep working toward a goal, overcoming challenges and sticking with it even when it's hard.

At-risk youth may need help in setting goals and how to work toward achieving success. Some of ARISE life skills curriculum may be of help. We recommend the following life skill curriculum:

For High School aged Youth: https://at-riskyouth.org/collections/high-school-young-adults-learning-strategies

For Middle School aged Youth: https://at-riskyouth.org/collections/middle-school-learning-strategies

ARISE Positivity Card #286 GRIT

Download this ARISE Positivity Card and use it as a lesson with the at-risk youth you work with:

ARISE Positivity Card #286 GRIT