26 A METHOD OF MEASURING THE DEVELOPMENT 



An oblong card is cut along the diagonal, making two 

 triangular pieces. An intact card is placed on the table, 

 and by its side, nearer to the child are placed the two trian- 

 gular pieces, arranged so that the two hypotheni form a right 

 angle, and we say to the child: "Put these two pieces to- 

 gether, so as to make something like this." {This refers to the 

 intact card which lies before him.) 



Children of four years do not succeed in forming the 

 oblong. Only one-third are successful. As for the others, 

 they do not understand what is required, and they move the 

 cards about at random; fail to touch them at all; put them 

 together incorrectly; place them side by side but not facing 

 each other ; cover one by the other ; or finally form a figure which 

 has nothing in common with the model. 



At five years there is a decided progress; we found that 

 scarcely one child in twelve failed. The others performed 

 the task well. 



Some precautions must be taken with this test. We 

 point out the three following: 1. Some little ones do not 

 wish to take the trouble to move the cards or even to touch 

 them. It is then necessary, without giving any precise sug- 

 gestions, to scold them a little in order to arouse them from 

 their apathy. They do not succeed beyond those who fail 

 to bring two cards together, in whatever form, or those who 

 cover one piece by the other. 2. In this test one should try to 

 prevent the child from turning one of the cards over when he 

 is bringing them together, for if he does it will be impossible 

 to form a figure like the model. If he inadvertently turns 

 the card and is unconscious of it, it is permissible to begin 

 again, or to consider the test passed if the two cards are so 

 placed that their longest sides are in juxtaposition. 3. When 

 the child makes a combination he is apt to stop and turn to the 

 examiner for an assurance that it is correct or otherwise. 

 Our attitude towards his work then determines whether he 

 will remain content with it or make another effort. It is 



