Sometimes it's not easy for highly creative children to "comply" with a regular curriculum, even at the preschool age. They are wired to explore, experiment, build, imagine, and create. If forced at a young age into a diet heavy on rote learning and directed work, they may struggle. It's not that these children can't do the work, it's…

The objective of the present study is to identify the language development process, early literacy experiences and educational problems of an early reader identified as gifted. The research method was determined as a case study in line with this objective. The research was structured on the experiences of a fourth-grade male student born in 2010…

This article is an interview with award-winning author and gifted children consultant, Deborah Ruf, PhD. In the interview, Ruf emphasizes the importance of parental planning for gifted children's growth and development. She speaks to children's social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and needs as factors in developing a balanced plan.…

This paper discusses issues relevant to gifted children's readiness for school. It raises a number of questions that challenge thinking about what is meant by school readiness. Gifted children can often be ready for school entrance before the age traditionally considered appropriate. Their complex developmental profiles challenge accepted notions…

Children with significantly advanced development are not a tiny minority. Although some 8-15 percent of young children fall into this category, teachers in the early grades identified only 2 percent of such children. Characteristics of preschoolers who learn at an accelerated pace and guidance in supporting them are readily available in the…

This monograph presents extensive abstracts of 49 papers on developmental approaches to identifying exceptional ability. Sample topics include: the gifted population in prison; identification of gifted rural children; use of the Stanford-Binet for identification; student characteristics and placement into special programs for the highly gifted;…

Aspects covered include federal support for the gifted, identification, the arts, the developmental process, and minority and disadvantaged gifted. Trends examined include cooperation between special and regular classroom teachers, more comprehensive program planning, and greater advocacy efforts. (DLS)

This brief paper offers guidelines on recognizing giftedness in young children based on a study of the developmental characteristics of 77 gifted and average children as reported in parent questionnaires. The questionnaire asked parents to describe their children's development during the first 36 months. Major findings indicated that: parents of…

Outlines the patterns and processes of visual representation which occur during early childhood and suggests some differences that may be apparent in relation to the young gifted child. Stages of development are described and the use of children's drawings as indicators of giftedness is also outlined. (Author/CR)

The article focuses on giftedness in preschool-age children, including: the importance of early identification of giftedness, identification methods, techniques for providing a nurturing environment in the home, needs of parents of gifted children, and school programs for serving the gifted. A bibliography of relevant books and periodicals is…

Discusses the underidentification of young highly-gifted children and describes the developmental differences in highly-gifted children. Issues in the identification of young highly-gifted children are addressed, along with suggestions for teacher nomination, parent nomination, ability and achievement testing, and appropriate placements of…

One of the most important experiences in a child's life begins when he starts formal school, most often at age 5. Going to kindergarten is thrilling and sometimes scary but always an adventure. At this time, children come together from all walks of life; all types of families; at all levels of development; and with a vast array of skills,…

This book reviews and summarizes recent research into the intellectual, emotional and creative development of young gifted children. An introductory section includes the following: "Early Signs of Giftedness: Research and Commentary" (Abraham Tannenbaum); "Creative Giftedness in Children" (Robert Sternberg and Todd Lubart); and "Cultural…

A former child "prodigy" recounts her experiences at school to suggest that intellectual achievement is not always due to extraordinary analytic reasoning ability and that precocity may be nonrationl. J. Stanley responds by citing others' work on the topic and suggesting the construct may not survive strong scrutiny. (CL)

In this book, developmental, educational, cognitive, and professional psychologists explore early identification of giftedness, what happens when child prodigies grow up, and environmental characteristics that are needed for talent to develop into genius. The nature of creativity and domain-specific expertise is examined, along with how psychology…