He is now ready to learn most of the great processes of his later culture.

Speech, writing, this special accomplishment and that, are all learned by experimental imitation.
The example of the child's trying to draw or write has already been cited.

He looks at the copy before him; sets all his muscles of hand and arm into massive contraction; turns and twists his tongue, bends his body, winds his legs together, holds his breath, and in every way concentrates his energies upon the copying of the model.

In all this he is experimenting.
He produces a wealth of movements, from which, very gradually, as he tries and tries again, the proper ones are selected out.

These he practises, and lets the superfluous ones fall away, until he secures the requisite control over hand and arm.