Two Studies are discussed in which children's use of the anchoring and adju
stment heuristic was considered. Study one is a modification of the classic
multiplication task devised by Kahneman and Tversky (1974). Results indica
te that children in grades 4, 6, 8 and adults are affected by the order of
numbers provided in an addition task. In addition, younger children display
the tendency to over adjust, yielding higher estimates. In the second stud
y, third and fifth grade participants and adults were provided anchors and
estimated the number of jellybeans in a glass container. A main effect for
condition is indicated, with lower anchors leading to lower estimates. Resu
lts of both studies are consistent with the an anchoring and adjustment exp
lanation.