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== Acquisition ==
The gestures of speaking children sometimes resemble classifier constructions.{{Sfn|Emmorey|2008|p=198}} However, signing children learn these constructions as part of a grammatical system, not as iconic representations of events. Owing to their complexity, it takes a long time to master them.{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}}{{Sfn|Zwitserlood|2012|p=174}} Children do not master the use of classifier constructions until the age of eight or nine.{{Sfn|Zwitserlood|2012|p=173}} There are many reasons for this relatively late mastery. Children must learn to express different viewpoints correctly, select the correct handshape and order the construction properly.{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}} [[Brenda Schick|Schick]] found that the handling classifiers were the most difficult ones to master. This was followed by the extension and surface classifier. The whole entity classifiers had the fewest production errors.{{Sfn|Schick|1990|p=}} Young children prefer to substitute complex classifiers
Children start using classifiers at the age of two.{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}} These early forms are mostly handling and whole entity classifiers.{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}} Simple movements are produced correctly as early as 2.6 years of age.{{Sfn|Emmorey|2008|p=196}} Complex movements, such as arcs, are more difficult for children to express. The acquisition of ___location in classifier constructions depends on the complexity between the referents and the related spatial locations.{{Sfn|Emmorey|2008|p=196}} Simple extension and surface classifiers are produced correctly at 4.5 years of age.{{Sfn|Emmorey|2008|p=196}} By the age of five to six, children usually select the correct handshape.{{Sfn|Morgan|Woll|2003|p=300}}{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}} At age six to seven, children still make mistakes in representing spatial relationships. In signs with a figure-ground relationship, these children will sometimes omit the ground entirely.{{Sfn|Marschark|Spencer|2003|p=223}} This could be because mentioning them together requires proper coordination of both hands. Another explanation is that children have more trouble learning optional structures in general.{{Sfn|Emmorey|2008|p=196}} Although mostly mastered, children aged nine still have difficulty understanding the locative relations between classifiers.{{Sfn|Zwitserlood|2012|p=174}}
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