The Key To Success

Research shows that kids with lots of grit (and less mental ability) are more successful than kids with lots of mental ability (but less grit). In this video, researcher and psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth extols the virtues of grit, saying that "grittier" kids-those who try harder and don’t give up over the long haul-do better in school. For that matter, "grittier" adults do better in their jobs and goals, too. In fact, when it comes to success, Dr. Duckworth says "grit" is a better indicator of future success than IQ.

So how do we build grit in kids and adults? Dr. Duckworth says the best idea she’s heard so far is something called "growth mindset." She quotes Stanford University’s Dr. Carol Dweck who says that "growth mindset" is the belief that the ability to learn is not fixed, that it can change with effort. According to Dr. Dweck, when kids read and learn about the brain and how it changes and grows in response to challenge, they’re more likely to persevere when they fail.

LearningRx one-on-one brain training is one way to build both mental ability and grit. While the mental exercises strengthen the brain skills that determine mental ability (including IQ), the student/trainer relationship develops the kind of "growth mindset" described by Dr. Dweck.

Tanya Mitchell, Vice President of Research & Development at LearningRx, explains: "Our trainers work hard to expand the way our students see themselves, their brains, their potential. We help them understand that by challenging and growing their brains they can expand and change their futures. Even more importantly, we help them live that process, walking them through the experiences of trying hard, not giving up, using setbacks as stepping stones to success, and then seeing real life changes and benefits as a result of all their determination."

Some parents say the "can do" mindset their kids take away from brain training is one of the unexpected benefits. Here’s what one mom, Donna, had to say about the differences she saw in her 9-year-old son: "Tristan enjoyed his trainer as much as the program itself. He learned things from her-perseverance, believing in yourself-that exceeded the program fundamentals."

Another mother, Tracy, says that her 11-year-old daughter, Mattison, came away from LearningRx with a more positive attitude that is empowering her to approach difficult tasks saying "I can do it" instead of "I can’t."

Amy, mother of Michael, 15, says her son welcomes challenges now: "Working one-on-one with his trainer, Michael developed a skill set to make school less frustrating. His attitude turned more positive, he welcomed challenges at school where before he found it easy to give up and hide. He is a much happier and confident child. Michael now has the ability to identify pitfalls, adjust and improve. We feel he can now achieve anything he desires!"

LearningRx brain training also improves the way the brain processes incoming information in school and life. After brain training, improvements in cognitive skills-including memory, processing speed, auditory processing, and logic & reasoning-can be scientifically measured and are often dramatic. In fact, a study of 6000 LearningRx clients showed an average increase of 15 points in IQ after completing the program.