Choose three children at varying ages between 3 and 10 years old.  Explain to the parents of the children that you are in an introductory psychology class studying some of the basic theories of development.  Tell them a little about what you've read of Piaget's theory of conservation, and ask  permission to conduct some simple exercises with their child.  If they agree, have them sign a consent form.

Conservation of Mass
For the first exercise, pour water into two identical clear containers.  Ask the child to tell you to stop when the amounts in each container are the same.   When the child agrees that the amount of water in each container are equal, pour the water from one of the containers into another, very differently shaped clear container.  Ask the child if these two containers contain the same amount of water.  Ask the child she/he thinks that.  Record the child's response.

Conservation of Weight
For the second exercise, have the child make two balls of playdough that are equal in weight.  When the child has completed this task, take one of the balls and roll it into another shape like a hot dog or a flat pancake.  Without allowing the child to hold the new figures, ask if the playdough forms still weight the same and why.  Record the child's response.

Conservation of Number
For the third exercise, make two rows of objects with an equal number in each row.  When the child agrees that the rows are the same, change the second row by spreading out the objects past the objects in the first row.  Ask the child to tell you if the rows still have the same number of objects or if one row now has more objects and why.  Record the child's response.
 
Writing your paper...
In your paper, describe the children you chose by stating their age, birth-order, sex, and any other information you feel might be relevant to describe their level of development.  Be sure not to identify the children by name, since you agreed to that condition in your parental consent form.  Identify which of Piaget's stages (preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational) you think the child would be classified in, and report your findings for each child.  Compare the children's responses, and describe how your results support or refute what you've read Piaget found.  Re-read the section in your text on Piaget's Conservation Theory and on Evaluating Piaget, then provide your own evaluation of this theory based on your observational data and your experience with children.

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