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How Do Students Become Fearless? With Courage, Kindness, and Resilience.

In the classroom, how do you measure success? By the standard, more traditional means, or by relying on traits that our ancestors may have, themselves, prized above all others? Read on to see what we mean.

Recently, The Independent published an article called, "Six of the best: the traits your child needs to succeed. Rather than the usual (and one could say expected) answers — "a high IQ, a terrific school, well-run lessons, skilled teachers, a creative curriculum, high expectations" — The Independent listed six markers that are far more effective at gauging a child's chance at success.

Increasingly, researchers are discovering that what children bring to the classroom matters every bit — and in many ways more — than what the classroom can offer them.

"There is growing evidence that character traits such as resilience, persistence, optimism, and courage actively contribute to improved academic grades," writes Hilary Wilce. "And there are six key qualities that parents can foster in their children that will help them do their very best in school. These are: Joie de vivre, resilience, self-discipline, honesty, courage, and kindness."

What's so almost revolutionary about this way of thinking is that our children are every bit as responsible as to what they learn — and how well they learn it — as their teachers (and parents). And that what they bring to the table is every bit as important — some would say more important — as what they take away from it.

There is growing evidence that character traits such as resilience, persistence, optimism, and courage actively contribute to improved academic grades.

"Increasingly," Wilce continues, "researchers are discovering that what children bring to the classroom matters every bit — and in many ways more — than what the classroom can offer them. Children with the attitude and disposition that encourage good learning will flourish even in a mediocre school, while those who come with a mindset that hampers learning won't be able to make much of even the best educational opportunities."


Check out the rest of The Independent article, and let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter!