When children understand something, they
create cognitive maps built upon their own research into cause and effect. Once
they have such an understanding, they can then begin to make use of it. They
rearrange things, try out new possibilities and continue exploring and testing
hypotheses. Alison Gopnik’s book The Philosophical Baby: What
Children’s Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, And The Meaning Of Life explains how a child’s ability to
construct causal mental maps allow them to then create conceptual “blueprints.”
The maps represent the world as they observe it. The blueprints allow them to imagine what
they can create which is different. Ethan’s drawing grew out of a
compositional research experience which made use of nine squares which he had
drawn on, painted, and then arranged. In the process of working, however, Ethan became more interested in the
spaces between each square and this drawing is the result.
No comments:
Post a Comment