The Ghost in the Touchscreen: Social Scaffolds Promote Learning by Toddlers

• Autores: Laura Zimmermann, Alecia Moser, Herietta Lee, Peter Gerhardstein, Rachel Barr
• Localización: Child development, ISSN 0009-3920, Vol. 88, Nº. 6, 2017, págs. 2013-2025
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This study examined the effect of a “ghost” demonstration on toddlers’ imitation. In the ghost condition, virtual pieces moved to make a fish or boat puzzle. Fifty-two 2.5- and 3-year-olds were tested on a touchscreen (no transfer) or with 3D pieces (transfer); children tested with 3D pieces scored above a no demonstration baseline, but children tested on the touchscreen did not. Practice on the touchscreen (n = 23) by 2.5- and 3-year-olds prior to the ghost demonstration did not improve performance. Finally, children who learned the puzzle task via a social demonstration and were tested on the touchscreen (n = 26) performed better than the ghost conditions. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that social demonstrations enhance learning from novel touchscreen tools during early childhood.