Why perseverance and curiosity are just as important as ‘academic’ skills

One of the buzzwords in education these days is “grit.”

Research suggests that qualities like perseverance, conscientiousness and self-control are as crucial as “academic” skills for excelling in the classroom.

Writer Paul Tough has been looking at the latest research on how those so-called noncognitive skills are developed in young children — starting in infancy — and why kids growing up in poverty or in stressful environments are often at a disadvantage.

He joined our Morning Report show to talk about his new book, “Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why.”

Click the above audio player to hear the full interview.