“It’s not what happens to you, but how you respond that matters.”
When little Tomi joined her first robotics class, she was excited until her robot wouldn’t move. She tried fixing the wheels, then the sensors, and then burst into tears when it still wouldn’t work. Her teacher smiled and said, “You know, every inventor fails before they succeed. Let’s figure this out together.”
With her teacher’s gentle guidance, Tomi wiped her tears and tried again. Once, twice, three times, until the robot finally rolled forward.
The moment it did, her face lit up. That smile wasn’t just about success, it was about pushing through her frustration and discovering how powerful it is not to give up. That moment captured something powerful: grit.
Why Grit Matters
Grit is more than determination; it’s the strength to keep trying even when things get hard.
Children who develop grit:
- Bounce back after setbacks instead of giving up.
- View mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Stay focused on long-term goals.
- Build confidence through persistence, not perfection.
At Daystar International Academy, we believe grit is a key ingredient for lifelong success. It helps children understand that effort is what transforms challenges into growth.
How Parents and Teachers Can Build Grit in Children
- Model Perseverance
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Let them see you face challenges calmly and keep trying. When you make mistakes, talk about what you learned and how you’ll do better next time.
- Praise Effort, Not Only Results
When you say, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that,” instead of “You’re so smart,” you help your child value effort, discipline, and persistence over innate talent.
- Encourage Problem-Solving
When a child struggles, guide them instead of rescuing them. Ask:
“What do you think we can try next?”
“What have you learned so far?”
This builds their confidence and helps them see challenges as puzzles to be solved, not problems to avoid.
- Normalize Struggle
Let your child know that it’s okay to find something difficult. Share real-life stories of inventors, artists, and leaders who failed before they succeeded. Remind them: “You’re not failing — you’re learning.”
- Celebrate Small Wins
Every little victory counts. Whether it’s completing a tricky assignment or remembering to practice daily, celebrate the effort behind the achievement. That’s how confidence grows.
At Daystar International Academy
We nurture grit by giving children opportunities to try, fail, and try again safely. From class projects that challenge creativity to collaborative tasks that require persistence, every child learns that progress takes patience.
We remind our learners that real growth comes not from doing things right the first time, but from staying curious, courageous, and consistent.
Grit isn’t about being tough — it’s about staying determined.
When children learn to persist through challenges, they don’t just succeed in school — they succeed in life.
