Normative data collection of the Marburg Concentration Test for Pre‐school Children (German: MKVK)

Objective The objective of this study was the standardization of the Marburg Concentration Test for Pre‐school Children (German: MKVK) for 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children as an instrument for the early diagnosis of lack of concentration in connection with language development disorders. Patients and methods We conducted the MKVK on 309 children in 15 day‐care centres. The MKVK is a matter of a simple sorting task of 80 cards according to pictures. The ascertainment of the concentration performance is conducted using the criteria processing time and error count. The results are analysed in seven age groups. Results An age dependence is seen in the execution time and a tendency in the amount of errors. Three‐year‐olds require more time and make more errors than 4.5‐ and 5‐year‐olds. Two groups become apparent in the 3‐year‐olds: children with whom the test is easy to take and children who are still overwhelmed with the instructions and processing. Conclusion The MKVK is easy to conduct and shows children's ability to concentrate at pre‐school ages. It proves to be of particular value for the 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds. The study gives hints on different work methods of the children. Indications for a differentiated facilitation could be deduced from that.