Choice for shape vs textural matching of stimulus materials by means of active touch was studied intra- and intermodally in 130 preschool children. A significant trend toward matching by shape was present as early as ages 4 and 5 under both intra- and intermodal conditions. This finding is contrary to those of other investigations of preference for shape vs texture matching and discrimination learning in children. This discrepancy is resolvable in terms of recent evidence on the nature of perceptual activity and exploration by young children which highlights the interaction between stimulus materials and mode of exploration for determining what is perceived.
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