Who, What, Why?
Characteristics of Creative People
Upon examining these characteristics of gifted children, it becomes apparent that they are typical in most children. What factors must be considered to differentiate the gifted child from the others? Clarke, along with other experts in the field, believes that creativity plays a major role in helping to identify the gifted child and has developed a chart (pg. 84; Figure 3.2) separating the characteristics of creativity into four areas: Cognitive Rational, Affective/Emotional-Social, Physical/Sensing, and Intuitive. Some examples are:
Cognitive Rational
- Self-disciplined, independent, often anti-authoritarian
- High in divergent thinking ability
- Need recognition, opportunity to share
- Zany sense of humor
Affective/Emotional-Social
- More spontaneous and expressive
- Ability to concentrate
- Willingness to be born every day
- More curious
Physical/Sensing
- Openness to experience, new ideas
- Concern with outside and inside worlds
- Skilled performance of the traditional arts
- High theoretical and aesthetic values
Intuitive
- Are more sensitive
- Have a richer fantasy life and greater involvement in daydreaming
- Are more enthusiastic and impulsive
- When given a new solution to a problem, get enthused, suggest other ideas
Summing it all up
In this first week we have discovered several definitions of gifted, examined characteristics of gifted children, and determined a need for differentiated programs for our gifted learners. You have also discovered that there is no simple answer. The field of gifted education is continually evolving and remains a work in progress! How are you going to use this information to assure that all of your gifted students are identified and that we provide appropriate educational experiences to meet their unique needs? To quote William Shakespeare, “Ah, there’s the rub!!"
Use the matrix and the assignment checklist as your guides for completing the week's assignments.