In 1866, the French physician and teacher E. Seguin invented a methodology for studying the level of mental development of children, which was called the "Board of Seguin". Seguin was engaged in oligophrenopedagogy, and one day he was faced with the task of inventing this technique.
The essence of the technique
The Seguin board technique consists of pictures cut out and placed on a special board. Children are encouraged to disassemble and collect these pictures. At the same time, the level of complexity of the task may be different. The complexity may depend on the selection of color, shape and sorting of pictures by subject classification (animals, fruits, etc.). First, the teacher shows the child how the figures are removed from the board and in what order the pictures are inserted back. At the same time, a visual demonstration method is used without recourse to speech, which is especially important when working with oligophrenic children.
The Seguin manual helps to assess the level of development of the child. The assessment consists in visual education, and in the degree of maturity of visual-active and spatial thinking, and the skill of composing complex elements. Also, Séguin's technique helps to assess the level of learning and understanding of the proposed task. In addition, while completing the task, the child experiences positive emotions and pleasure.
Using Seguin boards
Seguin boards can be used not only for work and diagnostics of mentally retarded children, but also as a developmental aid for toddlers. Since the use of such a board together with the mother helps to develop the child's logical thinking and fine motor skills, which stimulates the development of speech and learning to read and write in perspective.
When using Seguin boards, the baby gets the first skills in the color and shape of objects. Seguin boards are very diverse. Their size can be large or small. Also, Seguin boards differ in themes: animals, trees, transport, weather, numbers and more. There is also a Seguin board in the form of a puzzle, which must be assembled into a single whole picture. Seguin boards are made of wood, plastic and soft fabric. This bright toy attracts the attention of children from one year to the next.
The value of Seguin's technique
The value of Seguin's technique is that it is extremely simple. It can be used to study children from preschool age and even from two years of age. The test can be used when examining children with developmental delay of both organic and neurotic genesis. Children perceive classes with boards as a game and willingly complete the proposed tasks. The features of the subject's actions, his reactions, statements, the nature of individual attempts to restore figures and errors are noted in the examination protocol. If the subject does not cope with the task, the experimenter provides assistance of an organizing or stimulating nature.
