This brochure, developed by a manufacturer of wooden blocks and trains, offers advice on the selection and use of toy blocks with children. The guide asserts that blocks, while often thought of as the most simple of toys, have great strength as creativity builders. Topics discussed in the brochure include: "Why We Want Our Children to…

In attempting to balance the requirements of social structure and the empowering initiative of creativity in children, numerous obstacles must be confronted, including insecurity; fear of uncertainty; ritualistic problem solving; dogmatic, dichotomous thinking; inner resourcelessness; lack of playfulness; restricted affect; forcing premature…

This article examines characteristics of the young creative child, offers suggestions to encourage the development of creativity, and reviews potential problems associated with creative children. Suggestions include giving freedom and encouragement, using appropriate questioning techniques, and providing opportunities for creative thinking. (JDD)

Defining creativity as a process that draws upon talents, education, skills, thinking and working styles, and inherent intelligence, and pinpointing motivation as the single most important ingredient in the creativity recipe, this book provides dozens of concrete, hands-on exercises and techniques that can help a parent or teacher keep creativity…

Three pamphlets (Practitioner's Guides) present guidelines from the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented at the University of Connecticut. The guidelines are based on theory-driven quality research that is problem-based, practice-relevant, and consumer-oriented. Each pamphlet has a section summarizing research from the literature or…

The home is viewed as a critical component in the development of creativity in children and a force to improve the effectiveness of educational programs. The article defines creativity and its importance, describes early facilitating environments (involving respect for the child, independence, and enriched learning), and discusses the home-school…

The article examines ways to differentiate the material used in a reading program for gifted students (birth to age 9). Suggested books are provided for the following categories that correspond to recognized characteristics of gifted children: vocabulary (quality retellings of folk tales, word play, poetry, satire, and nuances of language);…

Children are born artists, and artistic talent emerges from the interplay of proclivity, cultural enrichment, and nurturance. Intended to demystify art for parents and teachers and to help them understand what the art experience is like for the child or adolescent, this book discusses visual art concepts in simple terms and presents art as a…

Intended for parents of gifted students, the manual provides suggestions for understanding and working with the gifted child. The first section includes an overview of the nature of giftedness, talent, creativity, and intelligence; an analysis of special problems encountered by the gifted student (underachievement, cultural differences, learning…

Discusses parents' roles in introducing music to children before birth, in infancy, and throughout childhood. Children need encouragement to listen, enjoy, and explore sounds, music, and rhythm. Schools must continue the process of music education. The article includes a discussion of how parents can tell if schools are successfully exposing…

The newsletter of the California Association for the Gifted includes the following brief articles on parenting: "Your Challenge, Their Lives" (Barry Ziff); "Courage to Be Who I Am, Unafraid" (Elizabeth Meckstroth); "Attribution: A Key to Encouraging More Responsible Behavior in the Gifted" (Saundra Sparling); "A Parent's Perspective" (Carolyn…

Recognizing that creativity facilitates children's learning and development, the Head Start Program Performance Standards require Head Start programs to include opportunities for creative self-expression. This guide with accompanying videotape, both in English- and Spanish- language versions, encourages and assists adults to support children's…

Intended for parents as a companion to the Alberta Curriculum Guides, this summary uses an "at a glance" schematic to list the curricular goals for Kindergarten in Alberta. In addition to English language arts and mathematics, the goals cover creative and cultural expression, physical skills and well-being, personal and social…

Designed for use by parents of preschoolers participating in the Bringing Out Head Start Talents (BOHST) project, nine booklets present home activities intended to fit into the parent's and child's normal routines. Each booklet addresses a separate talent area: intellectual, creativity, leadership, art, music, reading, math, science, and…

Providing information on the important role that the arts and humanities can play in prevention efforts, this document offers several activities that draw upon the arts and humanities to increase young people's resiliency. Resiliency refers to children's ability to successfully adapt and develop in healthy ways, despite exposure to risk and…