The adoption of a programme for creative development among young school-age children with regard to considerations of gender

Abstract

The age- and role-related growth of young school-age children is made possible by psychophysiological processes, among them gender role behaviour. Our research makes it possible to define the correlative link between creativity and lateralisation, which affects the motivation of boys and girls differently. Art therapy with girls showed a very strong prediliction towards independence and risk-taking against a background of middling self-sufficiency. Work with boys demonstrated a negative tendency for dependence on the opinions of others against a background of heightened hopes of success. Participants reacted strongly to the requirement to display the results of their creative art therapy work, and were generally apprehensive of the reaction of others to, and the social validation of, what they had done. This research shows the need to either segregate boys and girls into different groups or set separate tasks for each sex, thus reducing competition. The former experience positive changes in the strength and lability of the nervous system, as well as improved sensitivity.