What is Perseverance? Helping Your Child Learn to Keep Going

At National Heritage Academies (NHA), we believe character is just as important as academics. That’s why our Moral Focus™ program helps students learn strong values they can carry with them for life. One of those important values is perseverance, the ability to keep trying, even when things feel difficult.

Perseverance means continuing to try, even when something is difficult, challenging, or takes time to improve. Through perseverance, students learn that success doesn’t always come quickly but develops through effort, patience, and the courage to keep going.

What Perseverance Looks Like at School
Your child practices perseverance every day, often in small but meaningful ways:

• Working through a challenging math problem instead of giving up
• Practicing a new skill until it improves
• Learning from mistakes and trying again

At NHA schools, teachers encourage students to see challenges as opportunities to grow. When students struggle, they’re reminded that effort matters, and that progress often comes one step at a time.

Why Perseverance Matters

Life isn’t always easy, and perseverance helps prepare students for both school and beyond. When children learn to persevere, they:

• Build confidence in their abilities
• Learn problem-solving skills
• Develop resilience when things don’t go as planned
• Understand that hard work pays off

These lessons don’t just help in the classroom. They help students become stronger, more confident individuals.

How Families Can Encourage Perseverance at Home

Parents and caregivers play a big role in reinforcing perseverance. Here are a few simple ways to support this Moral Focus virtue at home:

• Praise effort, not just results. Say things like, “I’m proud of how hard you worked.”
• Talk about challenges. Share times when you had to keep trying, even when something was tough.
• Encourage problem-solving. Ask, “What could you try next?” instead of stepping in right away.
• Celebrate progress. Small wins matter and build motivation.

Perseverance reminds students that they are capable of more than they may think. With support from teachers at school and encouragement from families at home, students learn that challenges don’t define them, how they respond does.

At National Heritage Academies, we’re proud to partner with families to help students grow academically and morally. Together, we’re teaching children that with perseverance, they can keep moving forward, no matter the obstacle.

Frequently Asked Questions about Perseverance

Q: What is perseverance for kids?
A: Perseverance for kids means continuing to try, learn, and improve, even when schoolwork or challenges feel difficult.

Q: Why is perseverance important in education?
A: Perseverance helps students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience, which support both academic success and life beyond school.

Q: How can parents help children develop perseverance?
A: Parents can encourage perseverance by praising effort, talking through challenges, and helping children reflect on progress rather than perfection.