The 4 colours game: a study about protocol analysis

In this study we aim at analysing protocols of a game named 4 Colours Domino, in order to investigate different forms of solution proposed by 46 participants aged 7 to 11 years old. All of them took part in a playing games context. To collect data children faced problem-solving situations and the protocols were analysed. Considering this analysis, it was possible to characterize the different modes of solution in terms of rules, strategies, success and mistakes. Results showed that: (a) participants played according to the rules; (b) in general, they acted by chance; (c) most of them noticed the mistakes only after they were made. As a consequence, it was possible to define adequate interventions to help students observe their actions and build up new procedures to surpass mistakes, contributing to the development and learning processes.