The Role of Perception–Action Systems in the Development of Tool-Using Skill

Gaining proficiency using tools during childhood is an important accomplishment and involves using the hands to perceive tool properties and perform goal-directed actions. Using a perception-action perspective, we explored (a) whether tool characteristics (inertia) influence perceptual judgments and hammering action performance and (b) developmental changes in perception and performance. Adults and preschool children completed a hammering performance task and a forced choice perceptual task in which they judged which of 2 hammers was more effective. In the performance task, we found that the number of pegs hammered increased developmentally and changed as a function inertial characteristics, with more pegs hammered for hammers weighted in the head. Period of hammering movements was modified to compensate for inertial characteristics and movement variability decreased developmentally. In the perceptual task, we found inertial characteristics influenced perceptual judgments and attunement to this information increased developmentally. In addition, we found measures of perception and performance were related. These findings provide evidence that perception and action are coupled and changes in one are associated with changes in the other during development.