This discussion of the limits of creativity education defines the concept of "limit," explores the limits of intellectual abilities, outlines efforts used by psychologists and psychiatrists to improve mental performance, and notes the importance of extending creativity through the life span. (JDD)

To increase group creativity and understanding of the creative process, a 3-hour session of nonthreatening game playing was undertaken with 10 graduate students. Games included comfort-establishing, trust-building, and challenge activities. Observers were unaware of any individual asserting dominance, and participants formed relationships that…

This article outlines both specific barriers to teaching and learning creative thinking as well as some possible directions for solutions. Sixteen common barriers such as confusion, powerlessness, and negativity are described along with strategies to dissolve them using such conceptual tools as awareness plans and proactive metathinking.…

The article reviews the literature on two questions: what is the normal course of creative development, and do peak periods exist during which people are most open to efforts to foster creative abilities. Six specific periods are identified as peak periods of creative growth. (DB)

An interactionist model of creative behavior is proposed, combining elements of the personality, cognitive, and social psychology perspectives on creativity. The model considers the interplay of factors including antecedent conditions, creative behavior, consequences, the individual, cognitive style/ability, personality traits, contextual…

Head Start children (n=446), divided into intervention and comparison groups, received programing to enhance thinking skills. Intervention group children identified as gifted also received programing in their talent area. Intervention group children, whether or not identified as gifted, made significant gains over the comparison group in cognitive…

Recounts a personal experience as a first grader to illustrate the point that teachers must remember to encourage rather than stifle students' creativity. (NH)

Uses a case-study approach to examine the role of belief as a catalytic quality in the artistic making and the thinking processes used by children. Describes the processes encountered by children when presented with artistic tasks. Discusses the relationship between belief and the three other main dimensions of artistic thinking and making: social…

This article considers the synergistic force, specifically imagination, which can serve as the catalyst for motivation and learning. The importance of classroom climate in fostering imagination and developing growth, discovery, and vision is emphasized. Ways to make imagination an important element of classroom climate are listed. (JDD)

This retrospective case study investigates the experiences of a highly gifted young artist and two mentors who guided his high school development. Examination of the mentors' influences on the artist's cognitive and affective development found that the mentorship validated the boy's style of thinking, sharpened metacognitive abilities, helped with…

A self-taught artist describes the creative process and a technique for developing one's intuitive drawing ability. The article identifies seven basic motifs derived from natural forms and illustrates how these motifs are used in the artist's work. (DB)

Discusses two broad stages of children's drawing--scribbling and representation--and the phases of each stage that children will pass through as they develop. Provides suggestions for supporting children's early drawing development. (HTH)

This study examined the creative process through insights offered by 25 artists and writers. The study concludes that the conception of the creative process as a transitional sphere is useful, but there also appear to be creators who mine internal, even autistic, territory and others whose creativity is energized by the external sociopolitical…

Interpretive Structural Modeling (a decision-making methodology) and Nominal Group Technique were used to study the creative activities of five artists. The group interviews and discussions resulted in three models of creativity, all stressing the simultaneity and interdependence of various creative processes. (DB)

This article addresses principles of Waldorf education and their applicability to the education of gifted students. The Waldorf curriculum emphasizes creativity in partnership with academics. Efficacy evidence for the Waldorf approach from Germany is offered as are results from a pilot study in Toronto in which Waldorf principles were used with…