Abstract: This research investigated into 5─19 year─old children's ability of motion distance prediction in 4 age groups, focusing on the developing characters and influencing factors. The whole experimental process was set on computers. A light block randomly composed of three levels of moving speed and four levels of motion distance was shown on the computer screen.Every time the block moved for a certain distance in exposed condition, then it moved in hidden condition to a red line. The subject was asked to press a key as soon as he(or she)estimated that the light block reached the line.The results indicated that:(1)children's ability of motion distance prediction developed along with age, there were two fast developing periods in the 5─8 year-old range and 12─19 year-old range;the 8─12 year-old range was a slow developing period,there was a significant change in prone of mistakes;(2)there was a significant effect on prediction error value of the objects' moving speed,and in slow speed there were fewer error values;(3) both the object's hidden motion distance and sex of the subject didn′t show significant effects on the children's scores of prediction;(4)all the subjects in this research inclined to have low prediction.

Key words: motion distance, motion perception, motion image, prediction error value, prediction error proneness