Paul Tough Books
Paul Tough is a Canadian-American writer and journalist known for his work on education, child development, and inequality. He has written for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of several books exploring how children learn and succeed.
Known for: How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
Books by Paul Tough
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
In this influential work, journalist Paul Tough explores why some children succeed while others fail, arguing that character traits such as perseverance, curiosity, and self-control are more crucial to success than cognitive skills alone. Drawing on research in psychology, neuroscience, and education, Tough examines how parents, educators, and policymakers can help children develop these noncognitive skills to overcome adversity and thrive.
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The Cognitive Hypothesis
For much of the twentieth century, America operated under what I call the cognitive hypothesis—the belief that success in life and learning derives primarily from cognitive skills, measurable through IQ tests and standardized exams. Schools became factories for raising scores, and parents were told ...
From How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
The Role of Adversity
As I delved deeper, I found that adversity—the hardship children face at home and in their communities—shapes character more powerfully than we ever imagined. In neighborhoods grappling with poverty, violence, or instability, stress becomes a near-constant feature of daily life. Neuroscientists stud...
From How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
About Paul Tough
Paul Tough is a Canadian-American writer and journalist known for his work on education, child development, and inequality. He has written for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of several books exploring how children learn and succeed.
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Paul Tough is a Canadian-American writer and journalist known for his work on education, child development, and inequality. He has written for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of several books exploring how children learn and succeed.
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