Do you jump in to help your child as soon as they hit a snag, or do you step back and watch to see if they can figure it out on their own?
At ExcellED Montessori, we often hear our little ones say, “I want to do it myself!” This shows they like to try things on their own, and it’s a big part of how we help them learn and grow. Our guides and teacher encourage this independence because it helps them develop something called grit, which is really important for their future.
What Is Grit?
Grit means keeping going even when things get tough. It’s about not giving up. Defined by psychologist Angela Duckworth, grit is the passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It’s about having stamina, and sticking with your future, day in, day out—not just for a week or a month, but for years. At Excelled Montessori, for a five-year-old, this might look like building increasingly complex block structures, crafting detailed projects, or solving challenging puzzles. It also includes learning letters and numbers, and using words to express feelings when frustrated.
Why Is Grit Important for Preschoolers?
- It Makes Them Stronger for Later: Learning to keep trying now helps them face bigger challenges as they grow up. We give them a safe place to try, fail, and try again.
- It Helps Them Do Things on Their Own: Our school’s lessons make kids more independent. When they want to do things by themselves, they are actually learning to be strong and confident.
- It Makes Learning Fun: Kids find out that by trying hard, they can get better at anything. This makes them love learning more and more.
- It Teaches Them About Feelings: Trying hard things teaches kids how to handle feeling upset or frustrated. We help them see that these feelings are okay and that they can get through them.
Can Preschoolers Really Learn About Grit?
Yes! Preschoolers are naturally ready and excited to explore. At Excelled Montessori, we give them just the right challenges to keep them interested without getting too tough. This helps them learn to stick with things.
How ExcellED Montessori Encourages Grit
At ExcellED Montessori, our inquiry-based approach encourages children to ask questions, explore, and learn through discovery. We design our classrooms so kids can try things out and learn from their mistakes. They find out what works and what doesn’t on their own. This method naturally develops grit as children navigate through solving problems they find genuinely interesting. Our teachers watch and help only when needed, always encouraging kids to try again.
Strategies to Foster Grit at Home
- Create a Safe Space for Learning: Creating an environment where children feel safe to experiment, fail, and try again is crucial. By emphasizing child-led exploration and learning through doing, we encourage children to find joy in effort and improvement, not just the outcomes. This intrinsic motivation is vital for developing courage and persistence.
- Set Achievable Challenges: Give your child tasks that are just within their reach and encourage them to complete them. Whether it’s putting away toys or completing a simple puzzle, each small challenge builds their confidence and perseverance.
- Offer Encouragement Over Solutions: When your child is struggling, offer encouragement rather than solutions. Phrases like, “I see you’re working really hard on that,” or “Keep going, you’re doing great!” help more than solving the problem for them.
- Create a Routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine that includes challenging but enjoyable activities. Consistency in challenging tasks shows children that persistence is part of everyday life.
- Incorporate Playful Learning: Play is a natural way for children to experience challenges and learn to overcome them. Games that require taking turns, following rules, and managing the ups and downs of play scenarios effectively teach emotional coping skills and perseverance.
- Share Stories of Persistence: Read books or tell stories about characters who overcome obstacles. Discuss what your child thinks about these stories and relate them to their own experiences.
Tools and Resources
- Books: “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper and “Rosie Revere, Engineer” by Andrea Beaty offer great messages about persistence and overcoming failure.
- Puzzle Games: Simple board games and age-appropriate puzzles challenge children and reward patience and problem-solving.
- Reward Charts: Use charts to track efforts and celebrate achievements. This visual progress can be very motivating for children.
- Apps: There are educational apps designed to foster problem-solving skills and resilience in a playful way, such as “Endless Alphabet” or “Bugs and Buttons.”
Conclusion
Every time a child at Excelled Montessori insists, “I want to do it!” they are practicing grit. By nurturing these moments, we turn every challenge into a chance to learn and grow, helping prepare them for a bright and resilient future. By extending these practices into your home environment, you can continue to support your child’s growth and resilience, ensuring they develop the grit they need to succeed.
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Programs offered at ExcellED Montessori Plus include:
✔️Infants (10 Weeks – 18 Months)
✔️Toddlers (18 – 36 Months)
✔️Primary (3-6 Years)
✔️Kindergarten
✔️Mother’s Day Out
✔️Spanish Immersion / Dual Language
✔️After School Programs and Summer Camp (6 – 12 Years)
Music, Spanish, and Yoga are other programs included as part of the tuition.
Learn more about Inquiry-based Learning
