Nurturing Gifted Students Through Times of Grief

Nurturing Gifted Students through Times of Grief

36th Tennessee Association for the Gifted Annual Conference

Memphis, Tennessee October 22-23, 2015

What do grief and giftedness have in common?

1. Both grief and giftedness can be hard to define.

2. Grief and giftedness are present in all cultures.

3. Grieving children and gifted children can sometimes be overlooked.

4. Grieving students and gifted students may feel like they are “different.”

5. Grieving children and gifted children are children first.

6. People may try to hide or avoid both grief and giftedness.

7. Grieving students and gifted students can be “at risk,” but help is available.

What are somesuggestions for nurturing gifted young people through grief?

Here are some “ABC’s of Grief and Giftedness” you can take home and use right away. Some (like listening) are very important when the gifted young person is in the moment of grief. Others (like role models of resilience and service) may be helpful for more general planning purposes.

AArt

BBooks

CCounseling

DDirect communication

EEncourage friendships

FFantasy Literature

GGuided viewing of films

HHave a heart

IInclude spiritual intelligence

JJoin forces with others

KKeep reaching out

L Listen

MMusic

NNature

OOffer safe places and/or support groups

PPlay

QQuiet times

RRole models of resilience and service

SStorytelling

TTime to exercise

UUtilize web sites

VValue death education at home and in school

WWrite in “regular” or simulated journals

XExamine difficult questions

YYield your plan for the greater good

ZZero in on facts to refute the myths

How do I contact the speaker to schedule a presentation or to request more information?

Sandra Connell Jones, M.A. ( or )

Middle Tennessee State UniversityorMotlow State Community College

Psychology DepartmentSmyrna Center

P.O. Box 875002 Motlow College Boulevard

1301 East Main StreetSmyrna, TN 37167

Murfreesboro, TN 37132

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Web sites:

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