Every back lot pitcher learns to calibrate. Even young children gradually refine their arm motions and speed so that the baseball passes through the strike zone with some reliability.
Children also observe, generalize, measure, and hypothesize frequently.
Watching tree branches toss in summer breezes, children often hypothesize that the fanning motion of branches causes wind. Commonly, children then revise their theories and decide that clouds, rather than trees create wind by pushing air about. The marvelous thing about children is that they constantly search for evidence to confirm their cherished beliefs. When one explanation fails, they look for another. So says Carl Berger, professor of education and associate dean for research in the School of Education.