A Method of Measuring the Development of the Intelligence of Young Children #271255

The article here translated appeared in the "Bulletin de la Societe libre pour l'Etude phychologique de l'Enfant," April, 1911. It is a brief but complete statement of the Binet-Simon method of examining the intelligence and determining the mental level of children.<br><br>The aim of the authors was to present their system of tests as finally revised with adequate explanation and instruction for its use, but without the theoretical and philosophical discussion accompanying its presentation in "L'Annee Psychologique." It is in fact a convenient manual for those who wish to use the method.<br><br>The translator is of the opinion that just such a manual is needed in the United States at the present time. So much has appeared in our educational press concerning the Binet-Simon System and the practical value of its application to the problems of special education that a wide-spread interest has been awakened, indeed the system has become popular. Unfortunately, this popularity is not paralleled by accurate knowledge concerning it. The surface simplicity of the method has encouraged many to attempt its application with little more knowledge concerning it than that supplied by the list of tests. This is undoubtedly largely owing to the fact that none of the Binet-Simon articles on the subject have been translated in full; extracts have appeared and many criticisms, but the articles themselves have never appeared in English form. To put into the hands of our educational public the Binet-Simon System in the form and with the instructions and explanations presented by its authors, this translation has been prepared.<br><br>The series of tests presented in the 1911 article is the result of a gradual development.