developing form constancy

• constancy refers to how our perceptual system knows that the properties of an object do not change, even when we view it in varying conditions
• form constancy is a generic term to cover all constancies
• development of perceptual constancies is essential for functioning in every day life and can be encouraged through play strategies with young children and those with perceptual difficulties
• activities to develop shape constancy can involve using household items

  for example the child identifies all rectangle shapes and then stands in a different place and repeats
• activities to develop auditory perceptual constancy can include games including saying the same words but in different accents and tones so they understand speech sounds are the same regardless of who says them
• usefulness


  fundamental to reading and writing through the understanding of different handwriting and fonts
• effectiveness


  mostly anecdotal evidence with caregivers reporting that play involving perpetual activities is beneficial

  8 year olds trying to recreate a structure in blocks from a paper design had improvements in their ability to mentally rotate an object
• practicality


  many activities can be carried out without specialist equipment so it is easier

  can easily capture a childs enthusiasm using toys and direct their motivation

  most children have toys which naturally encourages form constancy which can be used