biostudies-literatureUnknown43(4)Haugen JNorges ForskningsrådThe Research Council of NorwayTwo studies explore how 4-8-year-old children develop an understanding of aha-experiences. Study 1 used a scenario approach to investigate children's understanding of the impact that having an insight has on affect. Children (N = 125) rated affect of a story character at different timepoints in problem-solving scenarios with and without aha-moments. Study 2 presented children (N = 167) with a story character displaying an aha response and two different stories of problem solving that may have led to the response. Results show that from age 4, children associate aha-experiences with positive affect. However, age differences were observed for triggers of aha-experiences. While 4-5-year-olds attributed aha-experiences to external triggers (the solution), 7-8-year-olds attributed them to mentaThe British journal of developmental psychology943-957https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12505822biostudies-literatureHow children understand aha-experiences in problem solving.PMC12505822Nilsen IBRPrenevost MHReber RPons FHaugen JBolstad EfalseHow children understand aha-experiences in problem solving.Two studies explore how 4-8-year-old children develop an understanding of aha-experiences. Study 1 used a scenario approach to investigate children's understanding of the impact that having an insight has on affect. Children (N = 125) rated affect of a story character at different timepoints in problem-solving scenarios with and without aha-moments. Study 2 presented children (N = 167) with a story character displaying an aha response and two different stories of problem solving that may have led to the response. Results show that from age 4, children associate aha-experiences with positive affect. However, age differences were observed for triggers of aha-experiences. While 4-5-year-olds attributed aha-experiences to external triggers (the solution), 7-8-year-olds attributed them to menta2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-04T09:17:46.031Z2026-05-07T03:12:18.727ZS-EPMC125058224024764010.1111/bjdp.12565