Talent development constitutes an important phenomenon of human development; yet it is rarely considered a mainstream topic in the field of child and adolescent development. Conversely, in the field of gifted and talented studies, various talent development (TD) models developed in the past have had minimal interaction with the literature on child…

The case study of Michael Jackson illustrates the concepts of high potential, talent, and precocity in the musical domain. Studying this case of exceptional musical talent highlights the usefulness of a multidimensional approach to exploring human potential, which is not limited to academic abilities. It offers a better understanding of the…

This article focuses on the fact that very often the traditional parent-teacher conference process is missing the most important stake holder, the child. The author asks the reader to clear the traditional image of parent-teacher conferences from their mind and imagine a conference process and setting that has the potential to bring together…

In the process of children's talent development, fathers have been largely ignored compared to mothers who are mostly identified as the initial and primary influence for their children. Though modern fathers are becoming more engaged in childrearing and interacting more with their children and changes in family systems lead to new challenges and…

A grandfather and educator of the gifted recounts his experiences systematically observing and recording the development of his granddaughter from birth through age 5. He notes the special advantages grandparents have in such observation and offers advice to parents, grandparents and talented youth on ways to develop talents and interests…

The article offers advice to parents and teachers of gifted children on how to respond to their giftedness in such a way as to promote the child's acceptance and proper utilization of the gift. (DLS)

The role of psychologist and educator Leta Hollingworth (1886-1939) in studying the development of artistic talent in gifted individuals is examined in context of her research and current research related to general intellectual and special abilities and the appropriate education of students talented in the visual arts. (DB)

A study explored emerging, persistent cognitive style in four gifted preschoolers to investigate how gifted potential may be transformed or obscured as abilities are applied to tasks. Remarkable style consistencies among the screening analysis, summer program behaviors, and later reports of cognitive ability and styles in kindergarten and first…

Identifies some of the inherent problems involved in, and presents a differentiated definition of, "developmentally appropriate programming and practices" that specifically targets the special needs of young gifted children. A Multidimensional Curriculum Model is introduced which can be used to design developmentally-based curricula appropriate…

The paper examines the early development of a highly talented child artist in light of three theories of graphic development in children: (1) drawing development is a search for increasingly satisfying solutions to graphic problems that proceeds along a stage-like path; (2) gifted children aspiring to be artists carefully imitate their culture's…

A study examined the educational histories of 120 talented individuals in various fields for recurrent patterns. The study found patterns for childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood phases. The importance of time, task, and communities of practice in everyday life is stressed. The Academic Talent Development Program, a summer program for…

This response to an article regarding the tension between talent development and personal growth in gifted education argues that dissociation of these two aspects is conditional, not a constant state of affairs. Contingencies and processes responsible for the dissociation are identified and ways to integrated these two perspectives are discussed.…

This book describes the outcomes of a longitudinal study of 210 British children that compared the recognized and the unrecognized gifted with their classmates. It describes what has happened to them and their families as they have grown up in very different circumstances, in poverty or wealth, through many types of schooling and life…

Key factors involved in successfully raising a gifted/talented/creative child are identified. Four factors found to be crucial for talent development include genuine interest and respect for the child, ongoing communication and involvement, conveying an attitude of persistence, and allowing freedom. (JDD)

A longitudinal study of 118 high ability Budapest children (ages 12-14) investigated family influences on child development. Three case studies are described that illustrate the differences in the sensitivity with which the parents recognized the various demands of their able children and how they responded to them. (Contains nine references.) (CR)