This study examined auditive and visual working memory and metacognitive knowledge in 92 gifted children (aged between eight and twelve), utilising a pre-test-training-post-test design, known as the cognitive training design. This approach was used to examine the working memory and metacognitive knowledge of gifted children concerning the…

At the 2006 National Association of Gifted Children Conference, a panel presentation addressed the importance of providing gifted children with opportunities to take positive social action through service-learning; this article is a result of that discussion. The Future Problem Solving Program (among others) has a community problem-solving…

The expert performance approach championed by Ericsson et al. provides a scientific way forward for research on giftedness, and offers exciting new ways to further one's understanding of the determinants of high ability within a particular domain of expertise. While the methods the authors use are commendable and are likely to further one's…

The basic assumptions of information processing theories in cognitive psychology are reviewed, and the application of this approach to problem solving in gifted education is considered. Specific implications are cited on problem selection and instruction giving. (CL)

The article offers suggestions for helping gifted elementary students learn to use independent thinking skills to challenge their own thinking as well as to solve mathematical problems. (DB)

One hundred fifty-six gifted elementary students (grades 3 through 6) responded to the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory on a pre- and posttest basis during a 3 week, 45 hour College for Kids program, designed as an enrichment program with focus on critical thinking, problem solving, inquiry, research, and questioning. Thirty students responded to…

This report proposes a modification of Jean Piaget's concept of "creative abstraction," the mechanism of creative thought, which develops both intelligence and creative ideas. By reflecting on one's actions and the coordinations of actions, the individual constructs new relationships, links, rules, or correspondences between and among them.…

The formal operations skills and problem solving performance of 60 gifted girls (grades 4 through 6) were investigated. Ss were given Piagetian tasks which involved conservation of mass and weight, use of proportion, oscillation of the pendulum, and projection of shadows. Among findings were the following: (1) no relationship between IQ and either…

The study was conducted to determine if the cognitive environment of the child from a high ability family could be classified as expansive or restrictive. It was concluded that mothers of gifted children have both styles available to them. The individual orientation of the high ability mother dictates the s tructure utilized. (CD)

The article proposes a model for developing leadership among gifted students. Four components of the model are identified and sample subskills described: cognition (exploration, research); problem solving (incubation, creative thinking); interpersonal communication (self realization, cooperation, conflict resolution); and decision making skills…

Presents a brief description of Adams County District 12's program to promote higher-level thinking skills in its elementary and secondary level gifted students. (SJL)

The article presents research reports on the nature of creativity, including such elements as its characteristics; the function of the affective gatekeeper (which filters the "reality" perceived by each individual); the constructs of perception; and the functions of role playing, altered states of consciousness, and fantasy. (PHR)

Deductive reasoning problems were presented to 72 public elementary school students, half of whom were identified as gifted (mean age of 9.6 years) and half of whom were regular education students (mean age of 9.3 years). They were used to test an hypothesis that gifted children who score significantly higher than average on standardized…

Creative thinking and problem solving processes were studied in 233 gifted elementary students. (Author/DLS)

Research on the nature of gifted children's learning is reviewed. Studies are cited on the following topics: cognitive style (learning style preferences, field independence/dependence, locus of control, and hemispheric specialization), cognitive development (differentiated stage development), cognitive strategy selection (components of problem…