108 children, 36 from each of the grade levels preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, were given tests of dimensional preference in both the visual and haptic modalities. Visual dimensions were form and color; haptic dimensions were form and texture. Previous research done with stereometric stimuli (three-dimensional objects) had indicated that the shift to form-dominance occurred at about the same time (5½ yr.) in both modalities. Stimuli in the present study were planometric (two-dimensional) rather than stereometric. In line with the predictions, visual form-dominance appeared earlier (4½ yr.) and the shift to haptic form-dominance occurred later (6½ yr.).
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