The Development of Sensations and Perceptions in Early and Preschool Childhood

During the first years of a child's life, intensive development of the sensory system takes place. This is characterized not only by quantitative but also by deep qualitative changes in the content and structure of the appropriate processes. The study of this development has important theoretical and practical value insofar as the ontogenesis of the sensory system creates the necessary prerequisites for the emergence of thinking, perfection of practical activity, and the formation of a child's abilities. We will try to shed light on some general problems in sensory development in early and preschool childhood , basing our presentation on the results of psychological research conducted under our supervision at the Institute of Preschool Education and the Institute of Psychology of the APS of the RSFSR. These studies were conducted in close contact with A.P. Usova (in Sensory Education of the Preschoolers [Sensornoe vospitanie doshkol'nikov], 1963) and N.P. Sakulina (1963), and others. Theoretical analysis of moving forces and the general nature