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How to Help Students Overcome Grief through G.R.I.T.
India White • May 26, 2023
Overcoming Grief through G.R.I.T
Helping Students Overcome Grief through G.R.I.T.
Grief is a natural response to loss, and it can be especially difficult for school-aged children to navigate. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 people in the United States experience a mental health condition, and grief can exacerbate these issues. However, cultivating grit can help students overcome grief and build resilience. In this blog, we will explore how to help school-aged students overcome grief by cultivating grit.
First, it is important to understand the impact of grief on children's mental health. According to NAMI, children who experience the loss of a loved one are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health conditions can affect a child's academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being.
To help students overcome grief, it is important to cultivate grit. Grit is defined as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals" (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007).
By cultivating grit, students can develop the resilience needed to overcome grief and other challenges.
Here are some ways to cultivate grit in school-aged students:
1. Encourage a growth mindset: Help students understand that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. This can help them approach challenges with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. When students are able to replace “fixed”
ways of thinking with the opportunity to take a risk despite grief, they will be able to overcome emotional and mental hurdles that hold them back from achieving academically in the classroom.
2. Set goals:
Encourage students to set long-term goals and break them down into smaller, achievable steps. This can help them stay motivated and focused on their goals. As students set goals, it helps them prioritize the main goal of success at hand. Further, as they deal with grief, goals help them to respect the time needed to complete tasks while also making them refuse to wallow in isolation,
causing them to think on the past and fall short of completing assignments.
3. Emphasize effort over talent:
Help students understand that success is not just about natural talent, but also about hard work and perseverance. This can help them develop a growth mindset and cultivate grit.
4. Provide opportunities for challenge: Give students opportunities to take on challenging tasks and projects. This can help them develop problem-solving skills and build resilience. As students are able to become actively engaged in their learning, this can take away emotions and mentalities that keep them in a low state of mind as they are battling thoughts of loved ones they recently lost.
5. Foster a sense of community:
Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel valued and connected. This can help them feel more resilient and better able to cope with grief and other challenges. Further, this will help them to develop trust with their peers
outside of the classroom and with community leaders and stakeholders.
Conclusion
By cultivating grit in school-aged students, we can help them overcome grief and build resilience. By encouraging a growth mindset, setting goals, emphasizing effort over talent, providing opportunities for challenge, and fostering a sense of community, we can help students develop the resilience needed to overcome grief and other challenges. Choose to hold your students up in a time of grief through implementing these practices and helping them bounce back again through G.R.I.T..
References:
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers