This study examined memory representation as it is exhibited in young children's formation of facial prototypes. In the first part of the study, researchers constructed images of faces using an Identikit that provided the features of hair, eyes, mouth, nose, and chin. Images were varied systematically. A series of these images, called exemplar faces, was presented to individual children in four groups. The groups' members were, respectively, 18 three-year-olds; 25 four-year-olds; 28 five-year-olds; and 14 six-year-olds. After children became familiar with the faces, they were given a recognition task, which involved the presentation of some new faces, some previously shown faces, and the prototype face which embodied the most frequently presented facial features. The number of times children claimed to recognize prototype faces they had not actually seen before increased with age. Six-year-olds' reaction to the prototype was similar to that of adults. Appended are 16 references and 4 figures, including the pictures of faces used in the study and three charts illustrating results. (GLR)