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Abstract

This study investigated preschool children's use of objects in symbolic play. 96 children ranging in age from 30 to 50 mo. were asked to pretend in one of four conditions: (1) substitution with objects of similar physical attributes, (2) substitution with objects of similar functional attributes, (3) substitution with dissimilar objects, or (4) substitution with no object. The use of symbolic objects increased as the similarity between the substitute objects and referent increased. More children were able to perform the substitution using objects similar in physical attributes of size, shape, and color than using objects similar in function. The younger children showed a greater difference in performance across the substitute conditions than the older children and performed less well on all conditions.

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Preschool Children's Object Substitutions during Symbolic Play

Abstract

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References