A series of studies was conducted to examine effects of various types of praise and of instructions and primes on the making of a different/new form or the using of an object in a unique way by preschoolers. Generalization of creative behavior within a response set of a given task and from a trained task to an untrained (transfer) task was…

A study involving eight mentally retarded, multiply handicapped preschool children was conducted to determine whether atypical retarded children could develop their visual spatial and creative expressions to a level which exceeded their deficient curricular level. A base line level of creative ability was obtained for each S and college students…

A study used a case-contrast approach to explore children's multiple story-telling motivation. Kindergarten children were invited to dictate stories during free play once a week. The stories were written down in a book-like pamphlet and later, read to the class during story time. Many children chose this activity but one child, Rachel, told many…

Discusses the role of Montessori education in developing lifelong skills for creativity. Considers self-expression the key to recovering human authenticity and spirit. Urges teachers and parents to develop this inner self in themselves and their children as a barrier against contemporary materialism, hurried life, and alienation caused by…

The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children engaged in improvisational musical tasks. Ten subjects from each of the four age levels participated in the 4-year investigation, which lasted until the 2-year-olds reached 5 years of age. Children met individually with the investigator for 15 minutes…

The important role of spontaneous play in preschool education programs is emphasized. At present too much emphasis is placed on structured learning activities and it's suggested that more "open spaces" be allowed for in a child's day. In spontaneous play, adequate space and time must be allotted for investigation and unhurried experience. Good…

This conference presentation begins with an outline of the assumptions involved in a theoretical model for the teaching of creatively gifted young children. The assumptions include: (1) creativity is continuous, not dichotomous; (2) creativity is a dynamic, interactive, and multidimensional process; (3) creativity may encompass intentionality but…

Dialogical drama with puppets is a specific method of revealing basic cultural values for preschool children. For this study, an interactive performance of a puppet show for young children was videotaped, along with a later performance of the same show by the children. The study compared the techniques used by the adult performers and the children…