Perceptual-Motor Training and Improvement in Concentration in a Montessori Preschool

Abstract

25 children in a morning class of a Montessori preschool were administered a program of perceptual-motor training which stressed control of impulsiveness and development of attentional skills. 24 children in the afternoon class were controls. All children were administered a battery of psychological tests prior to training and again 7 mo. later at the termination of the training. All the children (both groups) exhibited a mean 12- to 13-point gain in Peabody Picture Vocabulary IQ and a mean 13- to 14-point gain in Draw-A-Person IQ. In addition, experimental Ss exhibited mean gains on the Auditoryvocal and Visual-motor Sequential subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities and in Ego-control scores of the Arrow-Dot Test. Controls showed no such gains. It is concluded that the perceptual-motor training program might supply a useful adjunct to the regular Montessori curriculum.

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