Development of Left-Right Discrimination in Normal Children

Abstract

A left-right discrimination test (LRDT) was developed to measure children's ability to discriminate between the words “left” and “right.” A description is given of previous studies in left-right awareness and/or confusion; many of these studies appear to be influenced by the lack of normative data relative to development of left-right discrimination. The procedures employed in developing the LRDT are specified. Item analysis, reliability, and validity studies with the LRDT are discussed. A trend analysis of errors found a significant linear component ( p < .0001), suggesting continued growth in left-right discrimination ability from 5 yr. through age 10, with the 10-yr.-old making only chance left-right errors. Standard scores are presented for left-right discrimination ability for children ages 5 through 10 yr.