| The purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental levels and characteristics in young children's composition of 2-dimensional geometric figures, and relationship among children's composition of 2-dimensional geometric figures abilities, naming and recognition of 2-dimensional geometric figures abilities. A sample of 180 children aged 3-6 was randomly selected from 6 classes in two ordinary preschools in Shanghai. The test to assess young children's composition of geometric figures in this study was adapted from the measure created by Clements and colleagues (Clements, Wilson & Sarama, 2004a), and the other test to examine young children's naming and recognition of geometric figures was developed by the investigator based on related studies. Individual interview was the main method used in this study, and meanwhile observation of young children's response and operation process in the whole test was also used. The study examined young children's developmental levels of composition of geometric figures and the abilities to solving different type of composition tasks by means of Descriptive Statistics; the effects of age, gender and experience on their performances of composition of geometric figures using MANOVA and means of Descriptive Statistics; the relationship among their composition, naming and recognition of geometric figures abilities through Correlation Analysis and Cluster analyses. The implication of the study was also discussed.The results indicated: 1) Young children aged 3-6's abilities of composition of geometric figures mainly on Piece Assembler level -Picture Maker level, Picture Maker level, Picture Maker level-Shape Composer level; 2) There are significant age differences in young children's composition of geometric figures. Children aged 3-4's abilities of composition of geometric figures mainly on Piece Assembler level -Picture Maker level, while Children aged 4-5 and 5-6 's abilities of composition of geometric figures mainly on Picture Maker level-Shape Composer level, and more children aged 5-6 are Shape Composers than those aged 4-5. 3) Some developmental progression shows in different type of composition tasks. 4) No gender discrimination was found on the children's composition of geometric figures. 5) Children who have related experience before show higher level of composition of geometric figures than those who don't have related experience. 6) The relations in young children's composition of geometric figures and naming, recognition of geometric figures abilities were complicated, the level of composition of geometric figures may be in accordance with one's naming and recognition of geometric figures abilities and yet may present the opposite trend.
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