Predictions from play

Abstract

IN a series of studies of curiosity and exploration in young children 1-6, it was found that 3 to 5 year olds could be placed in one of three categories, according to their responses to a new toy. Usually, when a child is confronted with a new toy, he first inspects and investigates it; then, when he is familiar with it, he "plays" with it. These two categories of behaviour have been more formally characterized as "specific" and "diversive exploration" respectively7, and their distinctive behavioural features have been described4,5. Essentially, in specific exploration or investigation the implicit query seems to be "What can this object do?"; in diversive exploration or play it is "What can I do with this object?" © 1972 Nature Publishing Group.