Utilización de gesticulaciones de un alumno de preescolar al resolver un problema geométrico en diferentes espacios de representación construida

Abstract

This study investigates a kindergartner’s gestures, from a cognitive point of view, in a geometrical activity of communicative character. The activity involves a shape configuration problem in two different types of space of constructed representation (SCR), namely, on the computer and on paper. In this, we follow the cognitive analysis of geometrical thinking by Duval (1998) with a focus on the perceptual and the operative apprehension of geometrical figures. During the activity, the child had to give instructions to an experimenter, so that the latter could compose the figure on the computer screen using a specific mathematical applet, and on paper, respectively. The child was found to produce iconic and deictic gestures to a different extent in each SCR. Each type of gestures had a different cognitive function in solving the task. These findings provide insight into the personal geometric work space of a young child in carrying out a shape configuration task.