Recognition and Production of Facial Expressions in Preschoolers:

Recognizable Stimuli of Facial Expressions for Preschoolers and the Appropriateness of their Facial Expression from an Adult's Viewpoint

Abstract

This study first clarified the use of facial expressions (line drawings, illustration, adults' pictures, and infants' pictures) as stimuli, which made it easy for preschoolers to understand the emotion behind the facial expression. Second, it identified the extent to which adults could understand the facial expressions voluntarily produced by preschoolers. Results indicated that the preschoolers, aged 3–4, could understand the basic facial expressions regardless of the variety of the stimuli. Additionally, they could produce the facial expression of happiness, which was easily understood by an adult; however, it was difficult for them to produce the facial expressions of sadness and anger in such a manner that it could be understood by adults.