Individual differences in children's production of scale errors

Individual differences in the production and persistence of committing scale errors were examined in children (age range 18-29 months) attending a laboratory preschool. Miniature replica toys were placed in the classrooms during three 20-min observation periods for 10 weeks. The majority of the children (88%, n = 24) performed scale errors providing confirmation in a different setting (than presented in previous research) that most young children commit these behaviors. Large individual differences were found in the frequency and persistence of committing scale errors. Extended exposure to the replica items increased the number of scale errors, though the frequency of scale errors decreased over the entire observation period.