PSYCHOLOGICAL-MEASUREMENT OF TACTILE-KINE STHETIC PERCEPTION IN EARLY-CHILDHOOD

The perception theory of AFFOLTER (1987), the theory of sensory integr ation of AYRES (1979, 1984) as well as the development theory of PIAGE T (1973) consider sensorimotor experiences as a basis for the child's cognitive development. Tactile-kinesthetic perception has hereby a cen tral position. In the German-speaking psychology, no standardized test s exist to measure the developmental age of tactile-kinesthetic percep tion in early childhood. The subtests of neuropsychological batteries have not been primarily constructed for young children, therefore they may not portray the age dependence of tactile-kinesthetic perception exactly. That is why we have collected a pool of items, empirically ba sed descriptors of tactile-kinesthetic behavior, to test this perceptu al modality. Then we proved it in a series of pretests. The resulting preliminary developmental test contains 7 functions: Localization of t ouch, pressure sensibility two-point-discrimination, finger identifica tion, object stereognosis, stereognosis of object properties, and grap hesthesia. It was administered to 111 children aged from 3;2 to 6;5 ye ars in kindergarten. Data of the item analysis demonstrated that many items proved to be to easy. Nevertheless, the instrument is useful and measures reliably The deficits of the experimental test version will now be corrected by a revision. We will start a detailled analysis aga in using the revised test.