Sensorimotor versus cognitive-perceptual training effects on the body concept of preschoolers

The effects of two training programs on the body concept development of preschoolers as reflected in human figure drawings were investigated in this study. Twenty-four three-, four-, and five-year-old preschool children were divided into two experimental groups and one control group, matched closely by age and sex. All subjects were pre-tested with the Good-enough-Harris Drawing Test and post-tested with the same instrument after a one-month intervention training period. Group A received ten hours of sensorimotor training and Group B received ten hours of verbal body-part identification training. The mean gain scores of the two experimental groups were significantly different, with a greater mean gain by the sensorimotor group. Implications for occupational therapy are discussed.