The document on characteristics and identification, is the first book in a multimedia program "Educating the Gifted and Talented," a series designed to provide background information, supplementary materials, workshop activities, and discussion questions for individuals and teachers who work or are preparing to work with gifted and…

The paper describes methods of identifying giftedness, instruments for assessing creativity, and the need for a single measure of many different kinds of talent. Development of the Khatena-Morse Multitalent Perception Inventory, which identifies talent in the areas of art, music, leadership, and creativity, is discussed. (JDD)

Eleven specific suggestions for American advocates of the gifted and talented to follow, based on the Japanese way of handling such matters, are offered, including the provision of creative materials for young children and their parents and training in group and team creativity. (Author/DLS)

The authors examine why the attribution of "giftedness,""talent," or "creativeness" to the mentally retarded has been neglected, review definitions applicable to this group, examine the therapeutic effects of various types of art work (work which could be attributed as "gifted",) and suggest techniques to…

The article discusses the plight of the gifted child underserved by the educational system, proposes a model for expanding and clarifying the nature of creativity, highlights four common misconceptions about giftedness which have special educational implications, and offers five suggestions for improving the general quality of gifted education.…

Although frequently discounted, imagery plays an important role in the intellectual development of gifted students. It can be useful in helping students remember, create (in the arts and in sports), and develop flexibility in thinking. Imagery may also be involved in gifted adolescents' career and life decisions. (CL)

Teaching gifted students to think creatively may follow the AUTA model: awareness of creativity, understanding of creativity, techniques of creativity, and finally, actualization--development of creative talents. (CL)

There are a number of ways parents can help their child gain entrance into a gifted program: completing and becoming familiar with various rating forms; understanding that teachers may be inaccurate in creativity assessments; and claiming discrimination based on the child's age or incompatibility with the teacher. (CL)

Some Japanese cultural characteristics that foster creativity, giftedness, and achievement are examined: and based on these, eight specific suggestions are offered that might be useful in solving some of America's national problems of underachievement, particularly among gifted and talented children. (DLS)

Principles in gifted identification are noted, and the contributions of such approaches as GIFT (Gift Inventory for Finding Creative Talent), GIFF I and II (Group Inventory For Finding Interests), and PRIDE (Preschool Interest Descriptor) are described. Following a synopsis of research on these creativity inventories, the article discusses their…

The author discusses his opposition to gifted curriculum developed largely by teachers and suggests that real problems should be the focus of gifted programing. Two curriculum models are described according to four variables: the roles of students, knowledge, creativity, and teachers. (CL)

Parents are offered information on identifying and living with a gifted child. The needs of gifted children, techniques for coping with them, and ways to encourage creativity are discussed. (MT)

The author describes ways in which the arts can facilitate small group and classroom counseling for gifted students. Basic components of the guidance function are identified and five principles discussed, including an emphasis on individual behavioral processes and an orientation toward cooperation rather than compulsion. (CL)

The review of the literature cites approaches for enhancing the strengths of gifted disadvantaged youth through such "creative positives" as creative problem solving, art activities, dramatics and storytelling, and creative writing. (CL)

Briefly defines six gifted and talented areas, to make the point that academic talent is not the only form of giftedness. Lists some exemplary educational strategies for the psychosocially, underachieving, and culturally different gifted. (SJL)