What worked best wasn't (in Mischel's words) "self-denial and grim determination," but doing something enjoyable while waiting so that self-control wasn't needed at all.
precisely the opposite of the usual message that (a) self-control is a matter of individual character, which (b) we ought to help children develop.
the ability to invent a distraction turned out to be correlated with plain old intelligence
"Impulsivity," they concluded, "is not a purely maladaptive trait, but one whose consequences hinge on the structure of the decisionmaking environment."
Perhaps the broader message for educators is this: Focus less on "fixing the kids" and more on improving what and how they're taught.
Educational program sponsored by the American Institute for Foreign Study designed to promote multi-cultural understanding and appreciation in elementary and middle school classrooms. Resources for parents, teachers, kids.