Parents often wonder what children truly need to thrive, not just in school but later as adults navigating work, relationships, and setbacks. While grades and natural talent can open doors, they do not always predict who will keep going when things get hard. Many child development experts point instead to inner strengths that shape how kids respond to challenges, learn from mistakes, and stay grounded under pressure. One psychologist, Jaimie Bloch, recently highlighted five traits she believes set children up for long term success, based on what she sees in families and child behavior.
A big shift in modern parenting is moving away from chasing perfection and toward building emotional durability. Bloch emphasizes that success is not a straight line, and kids need tools for handling disappointment without losing their confidence. She shared her thoughts publicly in an Instagram post, framing these traits as skills that can be nurtured over time rather than fixed personality features. The message is reassuring for families because it means daily choices and small habits can matter as much as big achievements.
One of the most important qualities Bloch points to is resilience, which is often the difference between giving up and trying again. As she puts it, “Resilience is the ability for a child to recover after failure and keep going.” Kids who practice resilience learn that a setback is not a verdict on who they are. They start to view mistakes as feedback, and that mindset makes it easier to keep improving. Over time, resilience becomes a kind of emotional muscle that helps children handle changes at school, conflict with friends, and unexpected problems at home.
Curiosity is another trait Bloch believes fuels success because it keeps learning alive long after a test is over. She explains it simply, saying, “Curiosity fuels growth and helps kids become lifelong learners.” Curious kids ask questions, experiment, and push past the surface of what they are told. That habit makes them more adaptable when they face new situations, whether it is a new classroom, a new sport, or a confusing social moment. It also supports creativity because children who explore freely tend to connect ideas in original ways.
Empathy matters just as much as academic strength because life success depends on relationships. Bloch stresses this social dimension when she notes, “Empathy helps kids understand others and build strong relationships.” Children who can recognize another person’s feelings often cooperate more easily and resolve conflicts with less drama. Empathy can also protect kids from isolation because it helps them become the kind of friend others feel safe around. When children learn to consider different perspectives, they are also practicing patience and emotional regulation at the same time.
Self discipline is a trait many adults wish they had developed earlier, and it is deeply tied to follow through. Bloch describes it as, “Self discipline means persisting even when it is hard.” Kids with self discipline can stay focused on goals even when motivation drops, which is normal for everyone. They learn to break big tasks into smaller steps, manage distractions, and keep going after an early failure. This is not about being rigid or perfect, but about building consistency that supports long term progress.
Confidence in one’s own abilities is the fifth trait Bloch highlights, and it shapes how willing a child is to try. Confident kids are more likely to raise their hand, join a team, audition for a role, or attempt a harder assignment, even when success is not guaranteed. That willingness creates more chances to learn, which then builds real competence and even more confidence. Healthy confidence is not arrogance, and it grows best when adults praise effort, improvement, and persistence instead of only praising outcomes. When children feel supported, they begin to trust their ability to handle whatever comes next.
These five traits also work together, which is why they can be so powerful when families focus on them as a set. Curiosity invites exploration, resilience keeps kids steady when exploration leads to mistakes, and self discipline helps them practice until skills improve. Empathy strengthens their support system through friendships and family bonds, while confidence makes them brave enough to take the first step. Bloch sums up the bigger purpose in one statement, saying, “By supporting the development of these traits, we are not only helping children succeed in school, but preparing them for life.” She adds that these abilities help kids handle failure, stay open to learning, and grow into capable, empathetic people who believe in themselves.
In general child development terms, many of these strengths fit under social emotional learning, which focuses on recognizing emotions, making responsible decisions, and building healthy relationships. Resilience is often linked to coping skills and stress tolerance, while curiosity connects to intrinsic motivation and the drive to master new skills. Self discipline overlaps with executive function, which includes planning, impulse control, and attention management that develops throughout childhood and adolescence. Confidence is closely tied to self efficacy, meaning the belief that you can influence outcomes through your actions. Empathy is sometimes described as a foundation for prosocial behavior, which includes kindness, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
If you are raising a child, the practical takeaway is to create daily moments that strengthen these traits, like letting kids solve small problems, encouraging questions, and modeling calm responses to mistakes. Talk about feelings out loud so empathy becomes normal, and set routines that make self discipline easier to practice without constant battles. Celebrate effort and progress so confidence grows from real experiences rather than empty reassurance. Most importantly, remember that these qualities develop over years, and small consistent support can shape a child’s future more than any single milestone. Share your thoughts in the comments on which of these traits you think matters most for kids today.
