Summary: Do Children Classify Objects

Do children classify objects based on their appearance or their intended use? Earlier, as well as recent studies seem to indicate that preschool children label objects based on their shape; while older children and adults pay more attention to similar functionality.
In experiment number 1 of the study titled Matching and Naming Objects by Shape or Function: Age and Context Effects in Preschool Children (Deak et al), two groups were tested, 48 three-year-olds and 48 four-year-olds. They were tested individually and asked to sort items by function or shape. Most four-year-olds were able to sort by function when given instructions to do so and when they received a demonstration of the item’s functionality. They however, defaulted to sorting by shape when no specific instructions were given. Most three-year-olds on the other hand, sorted by shape, even when they were instructed to sort by function and were given the same functionality demonstration as the four-year-olds. According to the study, the differences between the two age groups were significant.
This experiment has multiple similarities to Piaget’s findings on centration, which is “the tendency to focus on one aspect of the situation to the exclusion of others.” His theory is that children between the ages of two and six do not yet use logical operations (reasoning processes.) …show more content…
It is important to note that these rules are not always written in stone as some children mature at different rates. Also, when the instructions are explained in simpler terms or are presented as part of a game, children are able to achieve higher degrees of success. Piaget’s research and others like the Deak study however, are crucial at increasing our understanding of brain development during