Planning means to anticipate by pre-correcting mistakes and making use of inferences. This statement was analyzed in this study in which 60 labyrinths (20A, 20B and 20C) were solved by 20 elementary school students aged between 7 and 11 years old. From the total amount, 31 were solved with one single line. The remaining ones were closer studied and it was possible to identify three indicators of planning procedures: procedure (1) beginning from the end; procedure (2) use part of the former line; (3) stopping a wrong line before the end. Procedure (1) appeared on 7 labyrinths, (2) on 9 and (3) on 5 of them. The discussion, based on studies held by Piaget, brings up the possibility to underline three different levels of resolution. In the conclusion, possible forms of intervention are presented, aiming to suggest that, in educational contexts, labyrinths may be used to develop the anticipation skill on children who play.
Learning; Games; Labyrinths; Piaget
