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This paper first gives a historical overview of mosaics, discussing mosaic masks made by the Aztecs and floor mosaics made by the Greeks, as well as the Roman mosaics at Pompeii and the Byzantine decorative mosaics exemplified by those at Ravenna. The paper then elaborates on children's mosaic making observed during research conducted between 1986 and 1992. Research was done both in small groups of 3 or 4 children in natural seaside settings and in class groups of 18 to 22 children in Greek kindergartens. The paper concludes that the children's work with mosaics, which demonstrated the use of images, symbols, and design, parallels the development of the art of mosaics over its history. (Contains a 38 references.) (BT)