Normative data for 4-year-old children on the California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version

This study presents normative data for 4-year-old children on the Californi a Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version (CVLT-C), a measure of verbal lea rning and memory. Norms are currently available for children 5 years and ol der; however, normative data are unavailable for this younger population. F erry males and 40 females comprise this normative sample of 4-year-old chil dren. The mean number of words recalled increased from the first to the fif th learning trial, and a consistent level of recall was maintained across d elay recall trials. Extra-list intrusion responses were common and these re sponses were more frequent than correct responses on cued but not free reca ll conditions. Finally, yes/no recognition testing resulted in the greatest mean number of words remembered compared to the other trials. Overall, the pattern of performance across the learning and memory variables in this yo unger population was similar to that of older children, but at a lower leve l. These data suggest that 4-year-old children are able to perform this tas k, making possible the use of the CVLT-C in normal and clinical populations in this age group.