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were very time consuming. Thirty-two children in Redbridge took part,
several hours of work being necessary for each child as the whole range
within the appropriate age group had to be presented. Normal children
were needed for this survey with equal numbers of boys and girls representing
different social economic backgrounds in specified numbers,
The schools very kindly provided the majority of cases and Health
Visitors found the pre-school children. The parents concerned were extremely
helpful and went out of their way to provide information and
facilitate the project. The children themselves were willing and in some
cases enthusiastic participants being extraordinarily patient about the
marathon series of tests that were imposed on them.
For the psychologists the task was interesting though arduous and
it is hoped that the test which is to be the end product of this work will
provide a valuable additional tool in the work of assessing children's
abilities to difficulties in learning. The test will be the first one of its
kind to be produced in Britain as the comparable individual tests available
for our present use are American and the scoring standards based
on the performance of American children although British standardisation
have been carried out. Besides the interest of taking a minor part in
creating something new of its kind certain unexpected by-products of
value were gained during the work. Children from the age of 2 years onwards
were tested which for the first time gave an opportunity of seeing
normal 2-3 year old reactions to a test situation. Some of the responses
of these very young children gave further insight into the reactions
sometimes found in older, backward children in test situations showing
that such responses are normal at a certain stage of development.
Picture materials were of no interest at all to most 2 year olds but they
were to 3 year olds; 2 year olds showed a lot of frustration and even
stamped their feet in minor tantrums if pressed to continue with uncongenial
tasks that were unsuitable for their level of development. In
the normal course of events no one would make such sustained demands
on the concentration and directed efforts of very young children so there
was a unique opportunity of seeing their reactions which were recognized
as something seen in normal children who were immature in development.