Gives an overview of creativity by defining it, characterizing the creative person, and identifying ways in which to encourage its development, such as providing creative role models, maintaining a safe and secure environment, avoiding criticism, communicating, and remaining flexible. (DC)

Points on teaching students to be creative, practical techniques used to help creativity flourish, and the role of creativity in learning in the outdoor classroom are explored. Suggestions for encouraging creativity in the outdoors to occur are: to make use of the ample assortment of ways the outdoor environment can stimulate each student; to…

Recommends that art be shown to toddlers, while being receptive to the different ways in which they respond. States that images should relate to the toddler's interests and be placed at their eye level. Discusses how to involve the toddlers' parents. (DAJ)

Project ASCENT, a program in which early childhood gifted and talented children are provided with differentiated curricula while remaining in the mainstream setting, is described. The first chapter reviews project goals, rationale, staff, and roles of personnel including the support teacher. Identification methods, including a Piagetian test, are…

In this special section on creativity and learning, several articles discuss practices of schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Topics include the role of reciprocity between child and adult in creative learning; the importance of play for adults; and ideas directors can use to help teachers translate creativity into classroom practice. (AC)

Describes the early childhood system in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in which educators (1) ensure that children live in "a community of well-being"; (2) create a supportive environment; (3) respect individual rhythms; (4) maintain work areas for the visual arts; (5) respond flexibly to children; and (6) foster peer support. (AC)

The theme of this book is self-initiated learning. It provides a framework to examine the dynamics of how children learn in this new environment. Chapter 1, "Underlying Rationale and Overview," discusses the rationale underlying a new philosophy of education. Chapter 2, "Background and Characteristics of a Self-Initiated Learning…

This collection of essays and interviews documents the unique approach to early childhood education taken by schools in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy. Howard Gardner and David Hawkins provide reflections in chapters that begin the book. The book is then divided into four major parts. Part I includes an introduction by Carolyn Edwards and…

Describes a student project of the Anna Frank school for three to six year olds in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in which students developed creativity by exploring the world of dinosaurs. Underscores the reciprocity between children and teachers in guiding the project. (AC)

This collection of 18 essays and interviews documents the unique approach to early childhood education taken by schools in the Reggio Emilia region of Northern Italy for the last 30 years. The book is divided into four major parts. Part I includes an introduction by Carolyn Edwards and others, and the essay, "What Can We Learn From Reggio…

This journal issue gathers together several articles on teaching with technology, with special focus on teaching of gifted students in California. "Computers and Creativity: Tools, Tasks, and Possibilities" (Bernard J. Dodge) discusses how teachers can establish an environment that will nurture creativity through use of computers.…

This book grew out of the experiences of three teachers as they learned to document young children's work in their respective schools. Part I of this book enables readers to learn about documentation. Chapter 1 provides the rationale for the study of documentation, and chapter 2 explains the windows framework that guided the teachers in thinking…