The nature of children’s ideas, the way they think about the
natural world, also influences their understanding of scientific
concepts. Children tend to view things from a self-centered or
human-centered point of view. Thus, they often attribute
human characteristics, such as feelings, will or purpose, to
objects and phenomena (Piaget, 1972; Bell, 1993). For example,
some children believe that the moon phases change because
the moon gets tired. When the moon is not tired, we see a full
moon. Then, as the moon tires, we see less of the moon.