I was reminded of this conversation during a recent presentation by Tyrone C. Howard on how student culture affects learning. Howard, the associate dean for equity and inclusion at UCLA, provided a reality check to the heavy investment in skills such as grit that might help more students succeed.

… writes Aisha Sultan in the Atlantic.

There are some great children’s books that address trauma and help students deal with it.  I found this article 11 Kids’ Books On Dealing With Loss, Grief, Illness And Trauma, particularly helpful.

The author states: “When children experience serious illness, loss, grief or trauma, it’s crucial to allow them to express and cope with emotions while at the same time, helping them understand, as developmentally appropriate as possible, what is happening. As parents and caregivers help children process these often times new and intense emotions.”

Sultan continues:

“We are asking students to change a belief system without changing the situation around them,” …

It can be irresponsible and unfair to talk about grit without talking about structural challenges, … referring to the recent interest in interventions tied to the concepts of grit and perseverance.

PHOTO CREDIT:

Author	John H. White, 1945-, Photographer (NARA record: 4002141)
Record creator	Environmental Protection Agency. (12/02/1970 – )
Title	A BLACK CHILD ON THE REAR PORCH OF A HOUSE IN A VERY LOW INCOME AREA ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MANY BLACK FACES IN THIS PROJECT THAT PORTRAY LIFE IN ALL ITS SEASONS. THE PHOTOS ARE PORTRAITS THAT REFLECT PRIDE, LOVE, BEAUTY, HOPE, STRUGGLE, JOY, HATE FRUSTRATION, DISCONTENT, WORSHIP AND FAITH. IN SHORT, PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE
Place	Chicago (Cook county, Illinois, United States, North and Central America) inhabited place (41.85°N 87.65°W; NARA geographical record)
Date	June 1973