When Kids Feel Like Giving Up: Teaching Perseverance with Heart

Every child will face a moment when they feel like giving up. Whether it’s struggling to solve a math problem, trying to make a new friend, or missing the mark on a goal they cared about, setbacks can feel heavy. And in those moments, what they need most isn’t pressure to push harder—it’s support, reflection, and encouragement to keep going.

That’s where teaching perseverance comes in. It’s not about powering through at all costs. It’s about helping kids recognize their feelings, reframe the challenge, and rediscover their inner strength, with guidance from the caring adults around them.

In this article, we’ll explore strategies for teaching perseverance to kids, offer activities and games to keep motivation alive, and share how Soul Shoppe’s Elementary SEL Curriculum, such as Tools of the Heart, supports students as they build resilience, one step at a time.

 

Why Perseverance Matters

When we discuss perseverance for kids, we’re talking about more than just grit. We’re talking about confidence, emotional stamina, and the belief that trying again is always worth it.

Through social emotional learning, students begin to understand that mistakes are part of learning and that effort is something to be proud of. The result? A generation of learners who feel empowered, not discouraged, by life’s challenges.

 

What Perseverance Looks Like in Real Life

To a student, perseverance might sound like:

•  “I didn’t get it the first time, but I’ll keep trying.”
• “This is hard, but I can ask for help.”
• “I felt like giving up, but I took a break and came back to it.”

These small moments are huge—and they’re often sparked by a teacher’s patience or a classmate’s encouragement.

If you’re wondering how to encourage perseverance, it starts with recognizing it in everyday actions.

 

Teaching Perseverance in the Classroom

Let’s break it down into three pillars: mindset, motivation, and emotional support.

1. Reframe the Mindset

Kids sometimes believe that struggling means they’re not smart or capable. We can gently shift that mindset by introducing:

• Growth mindset language: “You can’t do it… yet.”
• Stories of perseverance: Share examples of perseverance for students, like athletes, artists, or inventors who failed before succeeding.
• Personal reflections: Talk about a time you struggled and what helped you keep going.

Encourage students to see challenges as part of the journey, not the end of it.

2. Coach the Emotion, Not Just the Behavior

When a student says, “I can’t,” don’t just cheer them on—listen. Name what they’re feeling. “It sounds like you’re frustrated because it’s not working yet.” This creates space for them to process their emotions and find their footing again.

Soul Shoppe’s Tools of the Heart program gives students the language and self-awareness to pause, breathe, and regroup—essential steps for building resilience.

3. Set Small Goals

Big goals can feel overwhelming. Help students break them into steps:

• “What’s one thing you can try next?”
• “Who could you ask for help?”
• “Let’s focus on effort, not perfection.”

This builds momentum—and that’s what perseverance thrives on.

 

Activities on Perseverance

Looking to bring these ideas to life? Try one of these teaching perseverance activities designed for elementary students:

Perseverance Circle Time

Ask students to share a time when something was hard but they didn’t give up. Then reflect:

• What helped them keep going?
• How did it feel to succeed (or try again)?

This builds empathy and normalizes struggle as part of learning.

Puzzle Challenge

Break students into small groups and give each team a puzzle or challenge that’s just beyond easy. Let them practice patience, teamwork, and asking for help. This is one of our favorite perseverance team-building activities.

Games That Teach Perseverance

Try conflict resolution and perseverance games for kids that include trial and error, like timed building challenges or partner trust activities. Celebrate the process, not just the result.

 

How to Build Perseverance Every Day

Here are a few quick practices to weave into your routine:

• Morning mantra: Begin the day with affirmations like “I can do hard things” or “Mistakes help me grow.”
• Perseverance jar: Invite students to write about a time they persevered and read them aloud weekly.
• Anchor words: Let students create cards with reminders like “breathe,” “try again,” or “ask for help.”

These small habits reinforce a powerful message: We believe in you—even when things get tough.

 

Teaching Perseverance – Social Emotional Learning Brings Real Growth

Perseverance isn’t just about pushing through. It’s about knowing when to pause, how to ask for support, and how to keep going when things feel hard.

Soul Shoppe’s Elementary SEL curriculum, including Tools of the Heart, teaches students to name their feelings, find calm, and connect with their inner strength. That’s the heart of teaching perseverance to kids.

 

Keep the Door Open

When a child wants to give up, our first job isn’t to make them keep going—it’s to remind them they’re not alone. Then, step by step, we can help them rediscover their courage.

Whether through words of encouragement, classroom routines, or SEL strategies, teaching perseverance is one of the greatest gifts we can give. And it starts with one simple truth:

You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep going.