Sound play is important to child language development in that it contributes to the phonetic substrate, it is a factor in phonological development, and it is something to be learned as part of the socially acceptable use of language. Sound play progresses in three stages: (1) babbling, in which a gradual acquisition of phonetic units is built up…

The effects of educational stimulation on creative thinking ability and the relationships among verbal and figural creativity, intelligence, and school readiness were investigated in a sample of 123 first grade children. The educational stimulation consisted of special advanced instruction in physical education, music, art, social studies, and…

A STUDY WHICH USED A VARIETY OF BEHAVIORAL TASKS TO STUDY POTENTIAL CREATIVITY IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IS PRESENTED. THE BEHAVIORAL TASKS, ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MEASUREMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN, ARE DESCRIBED ON THE DIMENSIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FREEDOM, WILLINGNESS TO TRY DIFFICULT TAKS, FREEDOM IN USE OF CONFORMING AND NONCONFORMING BEHAVIOR,…

This paper argues that writing teachers' emphases on orderly and polished products from their students have inhibited the ability to invent ideas and think clearly. The teaching techniques of the poet William Stafford are described as a model for teaching students to be more thoughtful. It is concluded that teachers of writing should first…

Instructional materials designed to increase creative thinking abilities and language achievement were used in nine training conditions with children in grades 4, 5, and 6. Results indicated that treatment conditions were most effective at the 4th grade level, where at least one treatment was effective for all variables. At the 5th grade, two…

This study evaluated interrelationships among the scores of 51 high school seniors on the Remote Associates Test (RAT), verbal subtests of the Torrance Tests, the Alpha Biographical Inventory (ABI), and IQ. For all subjects, RAT scores, IQ, and the ABI Academic Success score comprised an interrelated "intelligence cluster." With males, none of the…

In this teacher's guide to the textbook called "Persuasion" the emphasis is on assisting the teacher to develop in his students the skills of critical and creative thinking. Each instructional unit moves from the experience of persuasive techniques, through critical analysis, to the creative practice of the technique in question. Essays on…

The authors have defined process education as the systematic...cultivation of those generalizable and adaptive behaviors which underlie all creative activity and which the learner engages in to acquire, organize, and utilize information and experience for effective problem solving and productive living. The curricula listed in this document are…

The Curriculum Research Institute papers presented here draw upon the behavioral disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, and sociology to examine some aspects of factors affecting the nurturing of individual potential. Although content, scope, and sequence of learning opportunities are central in individual development, other significant influences…

Creative methods of communicating with young children are discussed. In order to communicate through talk, adults must realize that children have a "secret world" with their own language and reasoning and must respect it. Self awareness, patience, understanding, and consistency are necessary for adults to truly communicate with children through…

In a graduate in-service course on creativity in teaching, an exercise in finishing a story was used to see if teachers scored better on three of Guilford's creativity traits (expressional fluency, elaboration, and originality) when working alone or in groups and when provided or not provided with clues. (SJL)

William Glasser demonstrates the principle of conducting a classroom meeting with a third-grade class in an affluent, suburban elementary school. Class meetings stimulate creative and critical thought. They are a tool to help students to begin to think for themselves. (Author)

PAL (Providing Alternatives in Learning) is an in-school enrichment model which provides opportunities for bright elementary students to pursue a curriculum which has been differentiated to meet their needs, interests, and abilities. The school librarian, special education personnel, and school administrators have been essential to the program's…

Identifies five criteria for the selection of picture books, and discusses their potential benefits for children's reading attitudes and skills. The benefits discussed include offering a store of experiences, learning the possibilities of language, gaining an understanding of cultural heritages, developing imagination, and learning about…

Argues that there is a sense of surprise and wonder that can result from looking back at problem solutions and there is a potential for then creating unexpected, even memorable, alternative solutions. Example problems with routine solutions and alternative approaches uncovered while "looking back" at the solution are given. (PK)