An Evaluation of Gifted Pre-Schoolers in the Creative Thinking Program in South Korea

Abstract

Controlled studies of the effectiveness of gifted preschoolers' programs are rate. An evaluative study of the Creative Thinking Program for the preschoolers in Kwang-Ju, South Korea, was carried out using a control group, pre-post measurement, and multiple outcome measures.

The purpose of this investigation was to find out whether the program focused on the creative thinking abilities will 1) develop and maintain the creative abilities through creative thinking activities 2) enhance the creative characteristics, and 3) enhance the intellectual functioning for the preschool gifted and average youngsters.

The program was focused on the creative thinking abilities for the 12 weeks. The subjects were 80 preschoolers. They were divided into four groups: Two groups of 40 preschoolers were experimental groups, the others were control groups. Then, the experimental groups of 40 preschoolers were consisted of high and average ability groups in terms of their intellectual abilities. The creative thinking activities were given to the 40 experimental subjects. No treatment was given to the control group. It was found that on a general test of cognitive ability and creative abilities of originality, imagination, and fluency, program participants exhibited significantly higher gains than did controls, and participants increased the creative attitudes of their kindergarten life more highly at the end of the program. The study lends support to the benefits of Creative Thinking Programs.