Seguin Form Board as an intelligence tool for young children in an Indian urban slum

Abstract

Objective: The present study evaluates the concurrent and predictive validity of the Seguin Form Board Test (SFBT) as an intelligence tool for children in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: In a cohort of normal children, followed up in South India, two cross-sectional analyses were done at 3 and 7 years of age on 95 children. The SFBT and Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) were done at 3 years of age and Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC) and the VSMS were done at 7 years of age, and the results were compared for concurrent and predictive validity for the SFBT. Results: Intelligence quotient and social quotient had positive correlations at 3 years of age, indicating fair concurrent validity. The SFBT done at around 3 years of age had good positive correlation with MISIC at 7 years of age, indicating good predictive validity. Conclusion: This study shows the utility of the SFBT as a community-based intelligence tool with acceptable concurrent and predictive validity.

Keywords

• Intelligence tests
• Seguin Form Board Test
• Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children
• Vineland Social Maturity Scale