Connectionist models of cognitive development: where next?

Over the past two decades, connectionist models have generated a lively debate regarding the underlying mechanisms of cognitive development. This debate has in turn led to important empirical research that might not have occurred otherwise. More recently, advances in developmental neuroscience present a new set of challenges for modelers. In this article, I review some of the insights that have come from modeling work, focusing on (1) explanations for the shape of change; (2) new views on how knowledge may be represented; (3) the richness of experience. The article concludes by considering some of the new challenges and opportunities for modeling cognitive development.