Learning from gesture: How early does it happen?

摘要: Iconic gesture is a rich source of information for conveying ideas to learners. However, in order learn from iconic gesture, learner must be able interpret its form—a nontrivial task young children. Our study explores how children and whether they can use it infer previously unknown action. In Study 1, 2- 3-year-old were shown gestures that illustrated operate novel toy achieve target Children both age groups successfully figured out the action more often after seeing an demonstration than no demonstration. 2-year-olds (but not 3-year-olds) fewer actions incomplete-action and, this sense, yet experts at interpreting gesture. Nevertheless, seemed understand could convey used guide their own actions, thus movement sake. That is, produced displayed on object itself, rather producing air (in other words, rarely imitated experimenter’s as was performed). 2 compared 2-year-olds’ performance following vs. point demonstrations. led discover gestures, suggesting does just focus learner’s attention, conveys substantive about solve problem, accessible 2. The ability place by toddlerhood although still fragile, allows process meaningless movement, but intentional communicative representation.