Planning ahead: goal-directed problem solving by 2-year-olds.
On tasks that require overcoming an obstacle along an existing path to a physically present goal, infants and very young children evince planning. In each of 3 experiments, the authors tested 21- and 27-month-olds' ability to construct a path to a mentally re-presented goal. Across experiments, the authors varied the number and type of cues to the solution provided. After exposure to the goal-state configuration of problems, both age groups showed evidence of planning (Experiment 1). Demonstration of the initial step in the solution path in Experiment 2 was not as effective as exposure to the goal state in Experiment 1. Even with specification of a greater proportion of the goal path, goal-state configuration information was particularly effective in facilitating performance (Experiment 3). The results suggest productive generation of solutions to novel problems by young children; planning is facilitated by goal-state configuration information.
Bauer
P J
PJ
Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455-0345, USA. pbauer@maroon.tc.umn.edu
Schwade
J A
JA
Wewerka
S S
SS
Delaney
K
K
D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D002666:Psychology, Child