This paper describes the mental model children have of their own learning, derived from their behaviors when learning a song. The basic assumption of the study is that behavior is an outward expression of a psychological entity. The song chosen for the study was a complex, unfamiliar Zulu song. Thirty-six children in three age groups participated in the study of 6-, 9-, and 12-year-olds. Half of the children in each group also were learning to play a musical instrument. The children were tested individually and monitored by videotape and audiotape while learning the song. Results showed a significant developmental pattern with younger children being less accurate, and requiring more time to learn, and using more strategies in the process and fewer components of musical organization. Analysis of the data involved comparing the study results to the research on mental modeling. Charts and graphs are included in the main body of the paper and in the appendices. (EH)