Conservation Essay, Research Paper

Child Development

Four year old Nicolas, six year old Thomas, and eight year old Jamie were the subjects for all the following experiments. First, the experiment will be stated and performed, the reaction will follow second, and then a conclusion. All children were uninformed of what and why this was taking place.

o Conservation of liquid:

Experiment and Reaction:

Two empty glasses, both the same volume size but different heights were placed on the table. The same amount of water was placed in each of the glasses. The questioned asked to all the three boys was , ” Which cup has more water in it ? ” Nicolas (4) pointed to the taller glass, Thomas (6) said the taller glass and Jamie (8) said they were both the same. Then two more glasses, one of the each sizes were brought out to make it four glass two each of the same. The water in the taller glass was poured into the empty shorter glass and the shorter glass was poured into the empty taller glass . Thomas (6) said immediately after

” Hey they are the same! ” When asking Nicolas (4) again he pointed once more to the taller glass saying ” This one.”

Conclusion:

Jamie (8) understood right away that the two cups, regardless of the height were going to contain the same amount of water. Jamie (8) used logic to come to his assumption. As for Thomas (6) he used his perception first for his assumption then after seeing the water from the taller glass being pour into the smaller glass he used logic by stating that they were both the same. Nicolas (4) on the other hand, does not have the concept of logic yet only perception, therefore he still said the taller glass had more water.