Lateralized finger recognition in three- and four-year-old children

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were development patterns of lateralized finger recognition in 3- and 4-year-old males and females when age appropriate tasks were used. The sample consisted of 160 3-year-olds (70 males and 90 females) and 205 4-year-olds (101 males and 104 females). Children were administered a warm-up task and three finger recognition tasks which increased in difficulty. Tasks were administered to both left and right hands. Different regression equations were obtained for 3- and 4-year-old males and females. Differences in regression equations were related to task difficulty and left and right hand conditions. Results were discussed in terms of cognitive and lateralization development.