52 pages 1 hour read

Paul Tough

How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In How Children Succeed, Paul Tough argues that noncognitive skills like perseverance, resilience, and self-control are critical to children's success, more so than traditional cognitive skills measured by IQ. Using narratives from diverse educational settings and research from neuroscience, psychology, and education, Tough underscores the importance of early interventions and supportive relationships in overcoming adversity and cultivating character. The book includes discussions on the impacts of early-life stress and adversity on child development.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Paul Tough's How Children Succeed receives praise for its compelling argument on the role of character traits in a child's success. Critics value its emphasis on grit, curiosity, and perseverance over traditional metrics like IQ. Some, however, argue it leans too heavily on anecdotal evidence and lacks sufficient scientific rigor. Overall, it's an insightful read on educational development.

Who should read this

Who Should Read How Children Succeed?

Readers who appreciate investigative narratives like Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell or Grit by Angela Duckworth will be drawn to How Children Succeed by Paul Tough. This book appeals to educators, parents, and anyone interested in child development, focusing on the impact of character and resilience over IQ for success.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Education

Psychology

Parenting

Themes

Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

Identity: Mental Health

Identity: Race

Genre

Children's Literature

Education

Psychology