Imagine That You Take Your Neighbor's Preschool Child to an Outdoor

Essay

Imagine that you take your neighbor's preschool child to an outdoor zoo. Walking around the zoo, you will surely see many animals and plants, as well as inanimate objects such as benches and rocks. While you are there, you plan to try to get an idea of the child's understanding of the characteristics of animals, plants, and inanimate objects. Give examples of the types of questions you will ask the child to get an insight into his or her understanding. You may want to find out about which things the child believes are alive, which can grow, get sick, and heal, as well as how each type of thing becomes what it is (e.g., through inheritance). If this child is typical of children of the preschool age, what answers to your questions will you expect?