Maintains that play is a basic activity necessary for normal development of young children; it aids in the development of cognitive skills, social skills and moral rules, control of one's environment, emotional release, flexibility/creativity and physical ability and condition. Also presents teachers and parents with ideas to encourage play.…

In an interview, Benjamin Bloom outlines his reasons for studying the development of immensely talented people. He feels his study can help educators understand how all students can be more successful. (MD)

Finger painting is often regarded as the epitome of free expression for children. However, a careful review of the history of Ruth Shaw's finger-painting system reveals that it was dominated by specific techniques and stylistic conventions taught without a critical understanding of art history or appreciation. (IS)

Discusses the characteristics of the American educational system, outlines the various and developing world crisis, and suggests that teachers need to prepare creative, innovative, independent thinkers who can embrace the problems of the world and survive. (Author/RK)

Children are taught to discover concepts which are common to all art forms through live performance workshop presentations. The goal is "...to encourage children to discover their own aesthetic understanding of academics, of works of arts, and ultimately, of life processes." (Author/RW)

Describes experience in teaching art in an open classroom for eighth grade students at Martin Kellogg Junior High School, Newington, Connecticut. (DS)

Article presents the case for student musical composition in high school and suggests ways to initiate the creative process. (RK)

Whether a college course for teachers and teacher trainees could affect attitudes in creative problem solving was determined. Results showed that students enrolled in the creative emphasis course did have definite attitude changes in favor of creativity. There were no statistically significant changes found for the control group. (Author/AL)

Investigated whether or not creative behavior as measured by Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking could be increased in older adult women (N=40) through a creative problem-solving program. Experimental subjects did not score significantly higher on the Torrance tests than the control subjects who had not participated in the program. (Author)

Uses the irruption theory in explaining the occurrence of the Darwin finches in the Galapagos Islands as an example of how alternative theories can be presented in an educational setting. Advocates the comparison of alternative theories to encourage creative thinking and a critical attitude. (CS)

Previous studies on fantasy play tutoring are reviewed and research reported on the effect of the adult-child contact in this situation. Matched samples of preschoolers received either play or skills tutoring with equivalent tutor verbal contact. In these circumstances, differential advantages to the play-tutored children were few. (SJL)

Five problem-based learning activities tested by fourth-grade gifted students are suggested. Each open-ended problem is intended to be worked on by a small group for 30 minutes. Student reactions are quoted and analyzed, noting that students became more willing to take risks, test the properties and limits of their materials, and learn from their…

A study of 74 undergraduates examined whether creativity training and interpersonal problem-solving training are equivalent or complementary. Results showed the training programs were complementary. Each training program specifically affected performance only on related measures of performance. A combination of the training programs affected both…

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)