OF THE INTELLIGENCE OF YOUNG CHILDREN 35 



the double sou), 6 and 7 (for the second double sou), 8 and 

 9 (for the third). 3. They count the double sous as single 

 sous. The last is a failure. At seven years there is already 

 a great majority who succeed. All succeed at eight years. 

 This is, then, rather a test of the transition period between 

 the two ages. 



V. Names four colors. — Tests with colors can be indefi- 

 nitely multiplied. We have chosen the fundamental colors, 

 red, blue, green and yellow, and have omitted those the names 

 of which are less familiar to children; for example, violet and 

 orange. The test is not of the perception and distinction of 

 colors, but the naming of them, which is quite different. Young 

 children recognize, distinguish, and match the most delicate 

 shades; they are quite equal to adults in color sense; it is 

 the verbalization of this color perception, if one can so ex- 

 press it, which is defective with children. 



Four pieces of paper, red, yellow, blue and green, respect- 

 ively, and 6 by 2 centimeters in size (smaller pieces should 

 not be used), are arranged on a piece of cardboard. Each 

 color is pointed to in turn, and the child asked : "What is 

 this color?" No error is excused. The least error is con- 

 sidered a failure. This test takes about six seconds. 



CHILDREN OF EIGHT YEARS. 



I. Compares two remembered objects. — This is a valu- 

 able test because it does not depend in the least on instruction, 

 and brings into play the natural good sense of the subject. 

 It consists in investigating whether the subject can, in think- 

 ing of two objects, distinguish a difference between them ; 

 the perception of a difference is in fact the habitual and the 

 most natural result of a comparison. We prepare for the test 

 by talking to the child as follows : "You have seen butter- 

 flies, you know what they are? — Yes. — And flies, you know 

 them also? — Yes. — Are they alike, a fly and a butterfly? — 

 No. — In what way are they not alike?" This is not expressed 

 in the best style, but it has the advantage of being easily 



