Able Quote by Paul Tough
“What matters most in a child’s development, they say, is not how much information we can stuff into her brain in the first few years. What matters, instead, is whether we are able to help her develop a very different set of qualities, a list that includes persistence, self-control, curiosity, conscientiousness, grit, and self-confidence. Economists refer to these as noncognitive skills, psychologists call them personality traits, and the rest of us sometimes think of them as character.”
About This Quote
Source Book: How Children Succeed, Paul Tough, 2012
The quote emphasizes that developing noncognitive skills—like persistence, curiosity, and confidence—is more vital than early academic knowledge.
In simple terms: Character traits matter more than early facts.
Key Takeaway
Focus on building persistence, curiosity, and confidence.
Themes
education
child development
character
noncognitive skills
Mood
hopeful
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- early childhood education
- school curricula
- after-school programs
Key Concepts
Resilience
self-regulation
growth mindset
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators nurture curiosity and grit in classrooms?
- What daily habits build self‑confidence in children?
A Different Perspective
These skills are harder to measure and may be overlooked in standardized testing.
