Abstract:

The study concerns with the cognitive abilities of children when they start attending the school. The children are of the age between five and seven years, from different cultural environments and different ethnics. Cognitive abilities were compared between boys and girls, and also between gypsy’s children from socially disadvantaged environment and children from ethnic majority. There was developed a computerized method, called “Cognition Test”, in this research study. “Cognition test” has form as simple computer game, so it is attractive for children. This game is presented at computer with touch screen, so previous experiences with computers are not important.
In the first part two geometrical objects were presented tachistoscopally to children. Some pairs of objects were identical, some differed in shapes, colors or numbers. During the test the children had to decide, whether the objects are equal or different. The time, that the children needed to give the answer, was measured.
The results show us that there are no statistically significant differences in average number of correct answers between children coming from different ethnics. The results show us the differences in average time that children needed to answer all items. These differences are partly caused by socially disadvantageous background of some children. Next results are the comparison of psychomotoric tempo as personality characteristics of children. The speed of information processing has influence during the adaptation to the school attendance.
The second part of the test was targeted on attention. The children should mark all specific symbols on computer screen among big number of similar symbols. The number of incorrect answer and the time was measured.

Keywords:

Education of children from socially disadvantaged environment, cognitive abilities, computer games.