Educators and advocates should strongly support the incorporation of aesthetic and art education into the school curriculum, since it provides images that help make comprehension of concepts easier. Evidence shows that, through art, music, and dramatic experiences, students learn to work together, express themselves, think creatively, and make…

Abstracting (eliminating details from a complex perceptual field to reveal underlying structures) is described as a tool of thought for developing creativity and inventiveness. The paper argues that the skill of abstracting is transferable between arts and sciences, and provides a preliminary model to teaching abstracting in a multidisciplinary…

Discusses the role of creative arts in developing talent among gifted students. Talent development strategies using the arts are identified. Also describes ways that teachers can support collaboration among the arts and that parents can advocate and foster arts programs. (CR)

The findings of the National Dance Association's Task Force on Children's Dance are presented through position papers on the status of dance in education. In Part 1, the purposes and projects of the task force are outlined. The chapters in Part 2 list guidelines for a comprehensive dance program and provide examples of the use of the guidelines in…

Discusses the artistic characteristics of children ages two through six years and the culturally endorsed shift of emphasis from symbolic play to technical mastery during the course of their artistic development. Reviews teaching practices, educational resources, and teacher training in schools in Australia and the People's Republic of China in…