Three on a branch

projective test “Chick”, with which you can identify the degree of independence of the child and the strength of his dependence on his beloved parents.

INSTRUCTIONS
» This test is suitable for children over 5 years of age.
» Before starting the test, strictly say to yourself several times: “I’m not a psychologist, I’m not a psychologist.”
» Invite the child to listen to the story and think of how it ended.
» Pay attention to the actions of the listener, is he trying to run away from you? Interrupt or refuse? These observations will be useful to you during the interpretation of the results.

Song about a bird
The fairy tale “Chick” sounds like this: “The birds were sitting in a nest on a branch: dad, mom and a little chick. Suddenly a strong wind came up. The branch holding the nest broke and it fell down. Everyone was on the ground. Dad took off and landed on one branch, mother took off and landed on another branch. What did the chick do?

Normal scenarios:
» the chick will also take off and sit on some branch;
» will fly to his mother because he was frightened;
» will fly to dad because he is strong;
» will stay on the ground because he cannot fly;
” will call for help, and dad and mom will save him.

Answers that cause concern:
» the chick cannot fly, so it will remain on the ground;
» will try to take off, but it will fail;
» will die during the fall;
» will die of starvation (rain, cold, and so on);
Everyone will forget about him, and someone will step on him.

The essence of the fable is
Children usually tend to invent happy endings for their own and other people’s stories. An optimistic ending indicates that the child has a certain independence and determination. And by choosing an assistant: mom, dad, both of them, the alignment of forces in the family becomes clear. Confidence in oneself and loved ones is formed thanks to the sincere, unobtrusive support and love of adults. Children associate themselves with the heroes of fairy tales, and that is why the tragic ending of a fictional story is disturbing and deserves further discussion, and perhaps even consultation with a psychologist. After all, it turns out that the baby does not believe that someone close to him will help him out in a difficult situation, and feels completely helpless.

Application of the methodology
Projective fairy tale tests were developed in Europe in the 1940s and were initially heavily influenced by the fashion for vulgar psychoanalysis. A wide range of people, including parents, educators, were asked to test children, finding out how they are doing with the castration complex, their attitude towards death, and so on. It was completely incomprehensible how non-professionals, even having identified such a problem, would begin to solve it. Over time, faith in the power of psychoanalysis has moderated, and test results have been interpreted much more restrained. Now psychologists believe that it is useful to use projective techniques as part of a comprehensive examination of a child. True, in themselves they are quite good at revealing the feelings of the baby hidden from adult eyes.