Though creativity has been a buzzword in education for over 50 years, we still struggle to define and identify it. We recently asked Jane Piirto and Alane J. Starko, two experts widely known for their research in the area, to help clarify this complex concept. Their responses follow. … [Read more...] about Defining and Encouraging Creativity
creativity
Creativity and the Visual Arts
For budding creative artists, two excellent products are available. Silver Dolphin’s Fine Arts Studio Drawing, by Jim Bradrick, is a pencil drawing kit, while Chronicle Books’ Sumi-e: The Art of Japanese Brush Painting, by Shingo Syoko, uses ink as a medium. Each kit provides instruction for both beginning and experienced artists. … [Read more...] about Creativity and the Visual Arts
Creativity and Giftedness
Experts have debated for years whether creativity is a type of giftedness—30 states include “creative artistic abilities” in their definitions of giftedness—or a distinct way of thinking and behaving. However, experts agree that creativity is relevant and worth promoting. … [Read more...] about Creativity and Giftedness
A Family of Travelers
Since we are a multicultural family with immediate relatives in France and Taiwan, our suitcases never gather dust. Our children, Sebastien, Alexandre, and Camille (ages 13, 11, and 3), have already amassed a wealth of travel experiences, such as tasting Belgian waffles in Antwerp, seeing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, viewing Hong Kong from the peak of the island, and climbing medieval castles in Carcasonne. … [Read more...] about A Family of Travelers
Social Disinterest
Parent question: My 12-year-old son takes little interest in the world around him or in making friends. From early childhood he’s been far more interested in creating elaborate games with his cars; engrossing himself in learning all about trains, space shuttles, and airplanes; and playing computer games. At his gifted school he enjoys the company of other children but doesn’t want to take on the responsibility of friendship. I’ve hosted numerous play dates with his schoolmates, which have ended … [Read more...] about Social Disinterest
Helping Children Cope with Global or Community Tragedy
“Your children are not safe anywhere, at any time.” This chilling announcement was made on television and in newspaper headlines in the fall of 2002 after a sniper in the Washington, DC, area had killed ten and critically wounded three people, including a middle school boy on a playground. Accounts of the ordeal of Elizabeth Smart, who was 14 years old when she was snatched from her own bed in Salt Lake City in June 2002, badly frightened children who normally felt safe in their homes. … [Read more...] about Helping Children Cope with Global or Community Tragedy
Fostering Self-Discovery in Adolescence
Every January I look forward to teaching Psychology 137, “Adolescence,” an undergraduate course. I tell my students that one of my objectives for the class is to create an understanding and an appreciation of adolescence, of the incredible development—equaled only in infancy—that takes place during the teen years. They’re always surprised, since adolescents are typically viewed as confused and rebellious. … [Read more...] about Fostering Self-Discovery in Adolescence
Gifted Readers and Young Adult Literature: A Perfect Match
Gifted learners who are avid readers tend to read not only for the simple joy of it but to cope in a world that does not understand giftedness and is sometimes openly hostile to the intellectually gifted. These students read to overcome the boredom of an unchallenging curriculum and to satisfy their curiosity. But however gifted they may be, they still need guidance in making suitable, interesting, challenging reading choices, just as other students do. So, where can we turn to provide … [Read more...] about Gifted Readers and Young Adult Literature: A Perfect Match
Living History
If you want history to come alive for your children, I recommend two excellent series of activity books. These series target elementary and middle schoolers; although some of the activities require adult supervision, the works themselves ingeniously address the child audience and provide a wide range of creative explorations. … [Read more...] about Living History
All Stressed Up with No Place to Go
"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: a human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him, a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death." —Pearl S. Buck I used to think that it helped someone who felt stressed to be told to “chill out” or that “everything will seem better in the morning.” On reflection, however, I realized that when someone uttered those words to … [Read more...] about All Stressed Up with No Place to Go