Spatial concept learning in preschool children: motoric experiences and verbal repetition as adjuncts to passive listening.

32 preschool children were matched by age, sex, and pretest scores on spatial concept knowledge. Four groups were (a) instruction (see and hear) only, (b) verbal repetition, (c) fine motor treatment (hand manipulation), and (d) gross motor treatment (body movement). The 11 spatial concepts studied were in front of, behind, beside, on top of, under, around, through, right, left, forward, and backward. There was no difference in performance between groups given instruction only and verbal repetition. The motoric groups learned more than the non-motoric groups. Older children knew more concepts initially but did not learn more new concepts than younger children.