The Effects of Kephart's Perceptual Motor-Training on a Reading Clinic Sample

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the effects of Kephart's perceptual-motor training procedures upon the reading performance of poor readers in a reading clinic population with average and above average intelligence. The study was conducted during a six-week summer session. This study also compares the effectiveness of training upon the reading performance of children with binocular fusion difficulties and those having no visual defects. Subjects were of average and above average intelligence in school grades 4 to 12. There were 41 subjects in each group, experimental and control, matched for age grade, IQ, and reading performance. All pupils received two hours of reading instruction daily. Experimental pupils received three types of perceptual-motor training for a half hour daily for six weeks: chalkboard training consisting of four tracing exercises in balance, laterality, and directionality. Results showed that perceptual-motor training had no effect upon reading comprehension of poor readers, yet effects upon oral reading were close to significant (.10 > p >.05). Kephart's perceptual-motor exercises did not improve the reading performance of children with binocular fusion difficulties.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Belmont

Lillian

Birch

H. G.

: Lateral dominance and right-left awareness in normal children. Child Development, 1963, 34, 257–270.

Cohen

Alan S.

: Studies in visual perception and reading in disadvantaged children. J Learning Disabil., Oct. 1969, 2, 498–507.

Falik

Louis

: The effects of special perceptual-motor training in kindergarten on reading readiness and on second grade reading performance. J. Learning Disabil., Aug. 1969, 2, 395–400.

Frostig

: Frostig Visual Development Program. Chicago: Follett Publ., 1964.

Getman

G. N.

: How to Develop Your Child's Intelligence (7th ed.) Lucerne, Minn.: Lester Tolesson Co., 1960.

Gould

Lawrence N.

: A visual motor perceptual program in the Brentwood Public Schools. Improvement For Reading Through Classroom Practice, Procedings of the Annual Convention, Internat. Reading Assn., 1964, 9, 272–275.

Halgren

Marvin

: Opus in see sharp, J. Educ. Research, 1961, 8, 369.

Kephart

Newell C.

: The effects of visual-motor training upon over-achieving and under-achieving seventh grade boys, Amer. J. Opthalmology, 1953, 36, 453.

Kephart

Newell C.

: The Slow Learner in the Classroom. (3rd ed. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill Books, 1962.

10.

Krippner

Stanley

: On research in visual training and reading disability. J. Learning Disabil., 1971, 4, 8–18.

11.

Manus

Leo

: Out-Office Visual Training Program. Chicago: Illinois College of Optometry, 1959.

12.

Money

John

: Dyslexia: A post conference review. In: Money

(Ed.) Reading Disability: Progress and Research Needs in Dyslexia. Baltimore: John Hopkins Press, 1962, p. 69.

13.

Rice

Arthur

: Rhythmic training and board balancing prepares a child for formal learning. Nation's Schools, 1962, 6, 72.

14.

Rice

J. A.

: Right-left discrimination; systematic reversal in bright children. J. Learn. Disabil., 1968, 2 (11), 654–59.

15.

Schiffman

Gilbert

: Critiques. In: S. Alan Cohen, Studies in visual perceptual and reading in disadvantaged children. J. Learning Disabil., 1969, 2, 498–507; pp. 505–506.