CPT Child Growth and Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary conflict for preschool-aged children (3–5 years) is:
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Initiative vs. Guilt (Correct answer)
- Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct answer: Initiative vs. Guilt
Erikson's third stage, Initiative vs. Guilt, occurs during the preschool years when children begin to assert control and initiate activities.
Question 2: A 4-year-old who can sort objects by color and shape but cannot yet understand that a tall, thin glass holds the same amount as a short, wide glass is demonstrating a lack of:
- Object permanence
- Conservation (Correct answer)
- Symbolic thinking
- Egocentrism
Correct answer: Conservation
Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance, a concept not yet mastered in Piaget's preoperational stage.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'scaffolding' in early childhood education?
- Providing structured outdoor climbing equipment
- Offering temporary support to help a child achieve a task just beyond their current ability (Correct answer)
- Repeating lessons until children memorize content
- Grouping children by developmental level for instruction
Correct answer: Offering temporary support to help a child achieve a task just beyond their current ability
Scaffolding, a concept from Vygotsky, involves providing just enough support to help a child perform a task within their Zone of Proximal Development.
Question 4: Fine motor skill development in preschoolers typically progresses in which direction?
- Distal to proximal
- Proximal to distal (Correct answer)
- Caudal to cephalic
- Lateral to medial
Correct answer: Proximal to distal
Fine motor development follows a proximal-to-distal pattern, meaning control develops from the center of the body outward to the hands and fingers.
Question 5: A preschool teacher notices a 3-year-old frequently playing alongside but not with other children. This is best described as:
- Cooperative play
- Associative play
- Parallel play (Correct answer)
- Solitary play
Correct answer: Parallel play
Parallel play involves children playing near each other with similar materials but without direct interaction, which is developmentally typical for toddlers and young preschoolers.
Question 6: Which attachment pattern is associated with a caregiver who is consistently unresponsive to a child's needs?
- Secure attachment
- Avoidant attachment (Correct answer)
- Ambivalent attachment
- Disorganized attachment
Correct answer: Avoidant attachment
Avoidant attachment forms when caregivers are consistently unresponsive, causing children to suppress emotional needs and avoid seeking comfort.
Question 7: A preschooler attributes feelings to a stuffed animal and insists it needs to eat dinner. This behavior is an example of:
- Egocentrism
- Animism (Correct answer)
- Centration
- Irreversibility
Correct answer: Animism
Animism is the belief that inanimate objects have life, feelings, and intentions, which is characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage.
CPT Child Growth and Development 2
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary conflict for preschool-aged children (3–5 years) is: