Final answer:
The M test for assessing numerical literacy in children under 3 likely has good reliability, as it produces consistent results, and validity, measuring what it's supposed to measure. It must accommodate the verbal and cognitive abilities of toddlers, reflecting their developmental stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The M test mentioned is likely a measure designed to assess numerical literacy in very young children. Considering the description provided, it seems that the M test possesses certain qualities such as reliability and validity. Reliability refers to the consistency of a test's results over repeated administrations, which is indicated by the statement that the test produces 'fairly consistent results when taken several times.' Validity refers to how well a test measures what it intends to measure—in this case, numerical literacy in children under the age of 3—relying mostly on verbal communication.
Given that children at age 5 can produce sentences and count past 20, a numerical literacy test for children under 3 would need to be tailored to their developmental level. Considering the complexities of cognitive and psychosocial development in children, the M test must be designed in a way that accurately reflects the numerical understanding expected of toddlers, taking into account their receptive and expressive language abilities.
The M test stands out because it doesn't solely rely on verbal instructions like many other intelligence tests but is developed to consider the unique developmental stage of toddlers. It needs to be engaging and comprehensible to them to collect valid data on their cognitive development, especially in relation to numerical concepts. The research into what constitutes intelligence, including numerical literacy, and how it can be measured, is a crucial aspect of developmental psychology.