News Psychology Mental rotation gears up by age 5 for both boys and girls Math-related visualization skill emerges rapidly in preschool years By Bruce Bower September 25, 2013 at 11:51 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Cartoon ghosts have scared up evidence that the ability to visualize objects in one’s mind materializes between ages 3 and 5. SPATIAL SPIRITS Preschoolers in a new study saw mirror-image ghost cartoons tilted at various angles (right) next to a ghost’s outline.