Under what conditions can external graphical representations favour learning in pre-school age children?
This theoretical paper attempts to investigate the conditions under which the use of external graphical representations facilitates learning in young children, in order to propose a theoretical model of designing cognitively effective learning tasks. We identified three concepts that we consider essential in the learning process and through the symbolic function of graphical representations : de-contextualization, metacognition and the status of representation of graphical representations. A theoretical synthesis of these concepts, illustrated by empirical examples of tasks with drawings, led to the development of a theoretical model for the preparation of tasks that should facilitate learning through symbolic representations. This model could be applicable in the field of science or in textual data in order to produce inferences. The long-term goal is to facilitate children’s access to the design and understanding of symbolic representations in later schooling.