How children succeed
by Paul Tough · first published 2012
64% recommend36% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Argues that character traits like grit, curiosity and self-control matter as much as test scores, drawing on research on adversity and executive function; suits parents and educators interested in child development.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool admissions to SATs. But in this book the author argues that the qualities that matter most have more to do with character: skills like perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control. The book introduces us to a new generation of researchers and educators who, for the first time, are using the tools of science to peel back the mysteries of character. Through their stories, an
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…them to better predict a student’s chances of graduating college than high school GPA. But Chingos’ research shows exactly the opposite." [0] By the way, I enjoyed reading Paul Tough's previous book "How Children Succeed" - if you are curious, here is a great excerpt from that book: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5721868 [0] https://www.forbes.com/sites/prestoncooper2/2018/06/11/what-...
on “College, Calculus, and the Problem with the SAT” ↗I recommend How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character and Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings for people who have kids.
on “My Summer Reading List” ↗Paul Tough's book, "How Children Succeed" [1] has a great section on how mothering style has a large effect on offspring throughout their lives: "Parents and other caregivers who are able to form close, nurturing relationships with their children…
on “A 75-Year Harvard Study Finds What It Takes To Live A Happy Life” ↗Paul Tough's book, "How Children Succeed" [1] has a great section on how mother rats (called dams) can significantly counteract the stress of their offspring (called pups): "Scientists in rat labs are always picking up baby rats to examine…
on “What Stress Does to the Brain” ↗There's a lot of overlap here with what Paul Tough says in his book "How children succeed". Basically he also emphasizes the focus on a child's character, but to an extent that they regularly get graded on their character not just their performance academically. It's a great read: http://www.amazon.com/How-Children-Succeed-Curiosity-Charact...
on “Raising a moral child” ↗…(Grit™)...you learn that she made it through the fall with a B+ in Stat and a reasonable 3.0 freshman GPA. I'm happy she turned the corner, but I...felt misled >_<. Though I really enjoyed Paul Tough's book How Children Succeed, I take issue with his claim: It is only students facing the particular fears and anxieties and experiences of exclusion that come with being a minority — whether by race or by class — who are susceptible…
on “Who Gets to Graduate?” ↗The book "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character" by Paul Tough is a nice primer on this topic. The book includes findings from the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study [1] that points at a link…
on “Does growing up poor harm brain development?” ↗It sounds like you're going to be a great Dad! Perhaps not a hack, but I recommend reading the book, "How Children Succeed" - here's an extract: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5721868 And I wish you all the best!
on “Ask HN: Educating a child who is severely behind” ↗Most of the books suck and aren't worth reading. The best perspective is this book called "How Children Succeed". Basically focus on the big things -- teach grit, curiosity, self-control, etc. That took alot of the stress out of everything and allowed me to focus on what mattered. The "Conscious Parent" was a…
on “Ask HN: Guide to becoming a dad?” ↗The book How Children Succeed may be good for anyone interested in more about executive function and character education.
on “Why Did So Many US Men Quit Working? Social Status May Hold the Key, Study Says” ↗…for each correct answer. On the first test, the two groups were evenly matched on IQ. On the second test, the IQ of the M&M group went up an average of 12 points—a huge leap." From Paul Tough's book "how children succeed"
on “Hacking the Brain” ↗…to paraphrase George Thorogood, getting a hair cut and getting any job. In the last month I've been binge reading books on closing the gaps such as Richard Florida's new book "The New Urban Crisis", "How Children Succeed" by Paul Tough, "Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on it" by Ian Leslie and more. I acknowledge there is no silver bullet that makes everything better. But there are a lot of things…
on “We need ‘Goldilocks,’ not ‘voodoo,’ urbanism” ↗http://www.amazon.com/How-Children-Succeed-Curiosity-Charact...
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗Yeah, I found that strange. One of the things that stuck with me from reading "How Children Succeed"[0] was that violence/ crises in the household tend to make kids impulsive and short-sighted in decision making. The idea kids who grow up around criminal parents would wind up doing the same because…
on “Crime is a Family Affair” ↗