The Power of Creativity to Enhance Mental Health for Gifted and Talented Students

This session will provide information about the many documented mental health benefits of incorporating creativity (not necessarily art!) into everyday life. These include personal benefits witnessed over one’s lifespan, benefits in school for teachers and students, and longer-term benefits for society. Educators will leave with a better understanding of definitions of creativity relevant to a classroom setting and ideas for “teaching for creativity” that have the potential to contribute to the development of high-quality curriculum and instructional materials, while also enhancing motivation and a sense of wellbeing for teachers and for gifted and talented students.