In today’s educational world, we often get caught up in measuring student success solely by test scores, speed in solving problems, and the ability to memorize material. However, there is one important aspect that actually determines long-term success far more: grit. This concept may not yet be widely known among parents or teachers, but its impact on shaping a child’s future is profound.

Grit is a combination of passion and long-term perseverance in the pursuit of goals. The term was popularized by Angela Duckworth, a psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania, who conducted extensive research on the factors behind human success. Duckworth concluded that it is not IQ, talent, or social background that most determines success, but rather the ability to keep trying despite repeated failures.

Grit is not just a burst of enthusiasm or temporary motivation. It is the ability to keep moving forward even when no one is cheering, to get back up after failure, and to remain consistent with long-term goals, even when it’s hard. A child with grit will keep studying despite poor grades, keep trying despite rejection, and complete projects even when they’re not in the mood.

In her research, Angela Duckworth found that grit is the strongest predictor of long-term success, even stronger than intelligence, natural talent, or socioeconomic status. This means that a child who keeps going despite failing has a greater chance of succeeding than a highly intelligent child who gives up easily.

This fact is eye-opening for many education practitioners because it shows that success is not just about who’s the smartest, but who’s the most persistent. Children who know how to recover from failure have strong psychological capital to face future life challenges.

Unfortunately, many schools today rarely provide space for children to develop grit. The main focus remains on correct test answers, speed in finishing tasks, and final grades.

Very few schools encourage children to keep trying after failure, to rise after rejection, or to finish tasks even when they feel unmotivated.

Children are often only rewarded for results, not for the process. As a result, when they face failures outside of school—like being rejected from their dream university or failing to get a job—they don’t know how to recover and try again.

If schools aren’t yet able to optimally teach grit, then the home should become the first place where children learn grit. Parents play a major role in shaping a child’s character from an early age, including instilling perseverance and a strong fighting spirit.

Here are some practical ways parents can foster grit at home:

1. Introduce a 30-Day Project
   Invite your child to commit to a small project for 30 consecutive days without quitting—such as writing a journal, reading books, or practicing a specific skill. This helps them understand the value of consistency and commitment.
2. Apply the “Hard Thing Rule”
   Make a family rule that everyone (including parents) must choose one difficult activity and commit to completing it. For example, learning a musical instrument, training for a sport, or working on a personal project. This cultivates mental endurance and responsibility.
3. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Result
   Don’t only give praise when your child achieves good grades. Acknowledge their hard work, even when the outcome isn’t perfect. This teaches that the learning process is important—sometimes even more than the results.
4. Tell Stories of Successful People Who Failed
   Share stories of famous figures who once failed and rose again, such as Thomas Edison, Oprah Winfrey, or J.K. Rowling. These can be powerful inspirations, showing that failure is a natural part of the journey to success.

As parents, we’re often proud when our children quickly grasp academic lessons. But the more important question is:
Do our children know how to keep trying when things get tough?
Do they know how to rise when they fall?

True success is not just about smart children, but about children who know how to endure the storm. The working world, social life, and life’s challenges won’t always go smoothly. Therefore, grit is an essential asset for children to survive and keep moving forward.

Grit isn’t something inherited genetically. It can be trained, developed, and nurtured through everyday life experiences. Both schools and parents have equally important roles in building this character. If schools are still too focused on academic results, then the home must become the place where children learn the meaning of persistence, patience, and inner strength.

We don’t just want to raise intelligent children—we want to raise children who are mentally strong, who don’t give up easily, and who have the strength to rise every time they fall. Because in the end, it is not just intelligence that determines their future, but grit that will carry them to true success.