3/13/2011

M&Ms and Patience

So if you haven't heard or read the talk,
"Continue in Patience"
by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
you should :)
It's here
But this is the part that gave Luke inspiration for the video below.
It's an interesting study:

In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.

He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.

It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.

What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life.


And here is Luke making his own study:

5 comments:

Shauna said...

That is seriously the cutest video I've ever seen! I want to post it on my blog and pretend they're my kids. Their little relationship is so cute! And you guys are good parents :) That made my day!!

Becky said...

How cute! They are growing up way too fast! I'm so proud of Proter for helping Afton wait :). You two make cute kids.

Natalee and Greg said...

Can I just say, your kids are JUST so darling!?!?!? :) I remember watching the marshmallow test online, and might I add that your video surpasses theirs? :) cute cute!

Jeremy and Jennifer said...

Congrats on your adorable little boy!!!! So how is everything with 3 kids? I love this video and your kids are just so cute and SMART!!! If I did this test with my kids they would get a big fat F!!! Miss you guys:)

Shannon said...

That was so freakin' awesome and funy!! Your kids are so good and sooooo cute! I really am amazed that they had such self control...yeah, my kids would fail and fail pretty quickly! I love how they are such good friends too, just too adorable!