Investigate the development of temporal markers as used by 2 to 4 years-old children in a task of free play action. On the basis of a free-play using little wooden animals, a categorisation of children 's actions points out a difference between temporal markers of action and coordination means-goal. Frequencies analyses shows that temporal markers are distinguished from coordination from a genetic and a structural point of view. The development of temporal marker is more precocious than the developement of coordination. Factorial analysis confirms and enlarges the difference between coordination and temporal markers, suggesting a dual-model to understand the functionning of action. Action is constitued by a temporal frame (form) and procedures (contents) the temporal functions of which within action are different and complementary.