Exploring and developing diverse potentials and abilities – new perspectives

• Published in: Problemy wczesnej Edukacji Vol. XIX; no. 2 (57); pp. 9 - 22
• Main Author: Limont, Wiesława
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gdansk University 2023; Uniwersytet Gdański
• Subjects: Higher Education; School education; Sociology of Education; megamodel; Dąbrowski; ability; potential; overexciatability
• ISSN: 1734-1582; 2451-2230

This article presents novel approaches to exploring and developing children’s diverse potentials and abilities. Traditionally, potential has been understood as an individual’s innate endowment, primarily pertaining to intelligence, facilitating achievement. However, new perspectives encompass a broader spectrum of factors, including psychosocial aspects. This article examines two concepts. The first one is the Theory of Positive Disintegration, which focuses on the personal, emotional, and moral development of individuals. According to this theory, a strong developmental potential and its content play a crucial role in the development of personality and abilities. Gifted individuals exhibit characteristics such as heightened intensity of experiences and sensations, as well as asynchronous development. Education should embrace the unique and individualized growth of gifted individuals, with the aim of facilitating their development towards higher values and a complete personality. The second concept under examination is the Talent Development Megamodel, which focuses on domain-specific abilities. Within this framework, distinct trajectories of talent development are delineated based on an individual’s domain-specific ability and potential associated with abilities and psychosocial skills. The objective of education within the Megamodel is to foster achievements and ultimately exceptional accomplishments among the gifted.