In child psychology today there are a considerable number of techniques for studying the psychic characteristics and skills of a child. This applies primarily to his ability to qualitatively and in the right amount to assimilate the information received at school. Therefore, at present, preschool psychological examination or elimination of problems in primary school is becoming natural. One of the popular tests is the Pierre-Rooser technique. We will understand what its purpose and features are.
goal
The main purpose of the test is to check the level of concentration in the child. Already at preschool age it is important to determine how capable he is of learning, and in case of low indicators, to adjust and improve the results. The Pierre-Rooser technique also helps determine the parameters of attention: its stability, switching, and distribution — to evaluate neurodynamic features (pace of work, degree of fatigue and satiety). It is noteworthy that the test takes only a few minutes in time. With child restraint, he gives the most accurate result. A simple program helps the psychologist to form an idea of the quality of the child’s development, elementary graphic skills, hand-eye coordination.
Age range
The Pieron-Roozer technique is applied to preschoolers and primary schoolchildren. The age range is 5-8 years. It depends on the degree of ease and accessibility of the test. The task belongs to the category of elementary and is considered the first step in a psychological study of the parameters of attention in children.
Instruction manual
The Pierre-Rooser test does not require special equipment. To carry out it will require only a pre-prepared form, a simple pencil and a stopwatch. On the form should be depicted four types of geometric shapes. They are located at the same distance from each other in a table of 10 x 10.
Before starting the test, the child is given instructions: it is proposed to fill out the figures line by line with the corresponding icons (plus, minus, dot). The fourth figure remains empty. 60 seconds are allotted for the task.
Important points
The Pierre-Rooser method “Put down the badges” is designed for children of different levels of training. So, for babies or children with certain psychological disorders, the number of figures is reduced by 5-7 lines, and the outline of the plus and minus is replaced by horizontal and vertical lines. A visual sample is also attached to the general form for the simultaneous development of visual and audio memory.
The psychologist uses the stopwatch not only to determine the completion of the test, but also to record the number of completed figures over a measured time interval. Sometimes a child takes more than a minute to complete a test. It is also necessary for the specialist to trace at what point the subject begins to fill out the figures from memory, without relying on the sample.
The Pierre-Rooser technique is designed for both individual research and group research (5-7 people). However, with a group approach, it is not possible to track the moments when memory was included in the process of filling out figures. Consequently, the result cannot be called absolute. The only solution to this situation may be to connect assistants.
Analysis
After the child completes the test and the key evaluation criteria are fixed, the psychologist can proceed to a general analysis of the work. In this process, it is important to establish the reasons for the results. These methods include the readiness of the child to follow the instructions, setting him up for quick alignment of signs in geometric shapes, and internal orientation for error-free test execution. As practice shows, indicators of concentration may be lower than possible due to the desire of the subject to show their abilities, desire for maximum results. That is, the child wakes up a sense of competition, characterized by excitement and haste. You should also consider the state of fatigue, visual acuity, the presence of the disease. All this, the Pierre-Rooser test, calls the reasons for the decrease in concentration of attention.
When analyzing the work of the subject should use a certain algorithm of indicators:
- The ability of the child to follow the instructions (order of actions).
- Focus on filling out a test form.
- Attention parameters (distribution, switching, stability). Errors in the test do not always indicate the nature of the distribution of attention, sometimes they talk about the features of visual gnosis (the ability to recognize objects, colors, signs, shapes, etc.).
- Correctness index (i.e., counting correctly filled figures in relation to their total number). A special table is used to calculate the results.
- Pace of filling the test (number of pieces in 30 seconds, minute).
- The number of errors per recorded time intervals.
- Dynamics and distribution of the number of errors in different parts of the test form (at the beginning, end, left and right).
- Motivation of activity (competition, game, personal achievement).
Exercises
The Pierre-Rooser method is a test for concentration, the results of which are necessary for a psychologist to plan further actions for a specific child. When obtaining low results and determining the psychological causes of the problem, a reasonable continuation is their elimination. One of the popular and effective ways for children, experts consider games and exercises for attention, which form and strengthen the necessary skills.
The main array of them is aimed at training and control with a ray of attention. These include exercises “Line” (sequential connection by a line of points or just drawing a line along a certain path), “Find the difference”, labyrinths, puzzles. In addition to visual perception, hearing and speech can be involved. The main thing is that the exercises for attention, their choice is guided by the tastes and interests of the child. If it is included in the process, then the desired results will be achieved quickly. Conversely, with the appearance of boredom and a feeling of monotony, the child will feel rapid fatigue, distraction. And the training process itself will not give positive results.