Abstract
Through ontogenetic development, the experience of spatiality may arise from an interpretation of sensory information through reference to the possibility of action. This implies that visuo-spatial information is coded at least partially in a motor format in order to be compatible with predictive models associated with action planning and anticipation of the dynamic properties of the body. These prediction capacities may represent an underlying process subtending the perception of the environment in terms of peripersonal and extrapersonal space. Within this theoretical perspective, we evaluated the developmental aspect of reachability estimates in relation to the performances in a Motor Imagery (MI) task in 6-to-12 years old children and in adults. Spatial performance analysis revealed a significant effect of age on both tasks: a non linear improvement across ages in the reachability judgement task and a performance following a U-shaped curve in the MI task, with a clear modification of the pattern of results around the age of 9-10 years. These findings suggest (1) a developmental aspect of reachability estimates accuracy in relation to imagery capacities; (2) suggesting the refinement of motor-related processing of sensory information across ages; (3) linked with the improvement of internal models of action prediction around 9-10 years enabling then more accurate perception of peripersonal space contributing to appropriate interactions with their whole environment.Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the University Lille 3 and grants from Maison Européenne des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société (MESHS) - Nord Pas de Calais and European Science Foundation, Eurocores CNCC CRP.