Two non-verbal cognitive systems, an approximate number system (ANS) for extracting the numerosity of a set and a parallel individuation (PI) system for distinguishing between individual items, are hypothesized to be foundational to symbolic number and mathematics abilities. However, the exact role of each remains unclear and highly debated. Here…

Three studies were conducted to assess the abstraction processes involved in the development of the ability to associate numerals with sets of the appropriate size (numeration). Experiment 1 examined the sequence of the ability to discriminate relative numerical magnitude, numerical equivalence, Arabic numerals, absolute size of a set, and…

This paper examines the interrelationship between children's acquisition and use of symbols and the development of imaginative play. The paper focuses on the use of pretend play as an expression of the child's capacity for symbolic functioning and as an index of intellectual development. The first section of the paper reviews developmental changes…

Sixty-six goals, mostly involving symbolic representation and cognitive processes, were evaluated to indicate those aspects of the summative research on Sesame Street that were bases for generalizing about research into the development of preschoolers. Unintended and intended outcomes were investigated as well as the program's effectiveness for…

Representational competence refers to the individual's capability to respond appropriately to external representations. For example, a child engaged in a grouping task may collect together all like objects even if the group contains varying representations of the object, including (1) the object itself, (2) a three-dimensional likeness of the…

This document presents some of the major challenges facing Developmental Psychologists. Research revealed that middle class children tended to respond in classification tasks to objects and pictures as equivalents, whereas low class black children tended not to do so. The reason for this was investigated. This investigation of the course of…