Demonstrates that a representation of a figure through object reconstruction is prerequisite to recognizing the object figure from a collection of figures, which in turn is prerequisite to representing the object figure using a pencil-and-paper reproduction. (RL)

Examines the development of young children's analysis of spatial patterns--specifically, hierarchical letter and geometric forms. Suggests that although children as young as four years of age demonstrated substantial analytic competence, their ability to integrate the parts of the spatial array to form a coherent whole was weaker and more easily…