“Fourth Grade Slump in Creativity”: Development of Creativity in Primary School Children

Abstract

The aims of this study included the investigation of the developmental trend of creativity and its components (originality, fluency, flexibility and elaboration) in primary school children in the city of Tehran as well as the possibility of " Fourth grade slump in creativity". 400 children ( 200 males and 200 females ) were randomly selected by cluster sampling from 30 elementary schools of one educational region in Tehran. Data were gathered using TTCT-figural, form A and were analysed using two-way ANOVA, Trend analysis, repeated measure ANOVA and planned tests. Findings and results showed that developmental trend of creativity is a function of third degree. Creativity scores increase from grade one to grade three, then decrease with a sharp slope between the third and fourth grade and increase again in fifth grade. There was no significant difference in development of creativity between two genders. however, a significant difference was found between boys and girls. The main component of developmental changes in creativity in both girls and boys, was elaboration. It seems that creativity in primary school children follows a developmental course and the variations of scores specific to elaboration.