The aim is to develop a scale to demonstrate the instructional approaches that teachers apply in inclusive preschool classrooms, where typically developed and talented/gifted children are educated together. A total of 156 teachers working in inclusive preschools in Ankara formed the study group. The scale consists of 22 five-point, Likert-type…

At a conference, a secondary school teacher was very surprised when she heard about the idea of talent development in preschool education. "What does it mean?" she asked. In this paper we answer the above question with a model created by joint research. We describe our method of developing gifted children with the involvement of…

Federal attention is focused currently on investing and improving the quality of early childhood education, so that children's potential and talent development can be used as a natural resource for the future of our country. This article engages readers in transitioning their thinking about early childhood gifted education from a traditional…

In this article, educators at University Primary School in Champaign, Illinois, share examples and understandings of the ways The Project Approach challenges young children to think critically about topics of importance in their world. Project investigations that provoke academic and social challenges for individuals and classroom communities of…

In this article, I will examine the use of picture books as a means of supporting the intellectual pursuits of young children. Theoretical frameworks will be discussed as they pertain to the integration of these books in the Municipal Infant Toddler Centers and Preschools of Reggio Emilia and Pistoia, Italy. The pedagogical framework of these…

The article describes why the Enrichment Triad Model needs to be adapted for a preschool/primary setting and provides suggestions on how to do this. A real-life example of a five-year-old who successfully completed a Type III project is presented. (Author)

A pumpkin patch is one way to incorporate sensory experiences, language, expressive writing, and art activities into a project for preschool and school aged gifted children. (CL)

A sensitive understanding of gifted preschool children's social and emotional development can provide the foundation for fostering the development of social competence both informally, through classroom interactions, and formally, through structured group lessons. (Author/CL)

A program model for gifted preschool children incorporates a differentiated curriculum into an open classroom environment. The Structure of Intellect model serves as the basis for classroom activities (10 examples of which are provided) which stress creative and productive thinking. (CL)

The Retrieval and Acceleration of Promising Young Handicapped and Talented program, part of the Joint Early Education Program for the Handicapped, identifies and educates preschool children who are both handicapped and gifted or talented. (PHR)

Discusses how an integrated-thematic preschool curriculum can be designed by meet the needs of intellectually gifted young children by providing depth, connections between the disciplines, opportunities to address content at different levels, and learning center and group activities. Describes characteristics of intellectually gifted young…

Reponses to four letters from parents and a teacher of gifted children, relating to truancy in a gifted teenager; development of a regional gifted program; strategies appropriate for a primary gifted program; and instructional activities for a parent to use with her preschool age gifted child. (SBH)

A program is described in which drama is used as an integral educational tool in conjunction with the study of literature, social studies, and history. The program adapts drama as a forum for presentations, debates on history or present-day events, and the study of biographies of great people. (JDD)

Intended for gifted/talented staff members, the document provides a collection of curriculum ideas and suggestions for activities, books, and articles related to education of gifted and talented children. Included are materials (outlines, tables, diagrams, and articles) on the following topics: facts about famous individuals; introduction of…

Briefly reviews the literature on gifted education for young children, offers specific methods, and recommends guidelines for working with gifted children in the regular preschool setting. A sample social studies unit on animals and a sample science unit are included in the text. (Author/RH)