The validity of a parent-based assessment of cognitive abilities in three-year olds

The purpose of the present study was to validate a parent-based assessment of cognitive abilities of three-year-old children against a standard tester-administered measure. The cognitive abilities of 85 children (50 boys and 35 girls, members of 43 twin pairs) were assessed using a measure of non-verbal abilities called the Parent Report of Children's Abilities for three-year-olds (PARCA3), a vocabulary checklist, and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (McCarthy, 1972). Correlations indicated that both components of the PARCA3 (parent-report and parent-administered) were significantly associated with the McCarthy scales, as was the vocabulary measure. Most importantly, the PARCA3 and vocabulary measure in combination significantly and substantially predict the McCarthy General Cognitive Index (Total R =0.63). We conclude that the PARCA3, with the vocabulary measure, provides a valid, inexpensive, reliable measure of cognitive ability for very young children.