ECE Child Growth and Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict children ages 3–6 must resolve?
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Initiative vs. Guilt (Correct answer)
- Industry vs. Inferiority
- Autonomy vs. Shame
Correct answer: Initiative vs. Guilt
Erikson's third stage (Initiative vs. Guilt) occurs during the preschool years when children begin to assert control and plan activities.
Question 2: Which fine motor milestone is typically achieved by most children by age 5?
- Tying shoelaces independently
- Cutting along a straight line with scissors (Correct answer)
- Writing all lowercase letters correctly
- Threading a needle
Correct answer: Cutting along a straight line with scissors
By age 5, most children have developed enough hand coordination to cut along a straight line with scissors.
Question 3: What term describes the process by which children absorb cultural values and societal norms through family and peer interaction?
- Assimilation
- Accommodation
- Socialization (Correct answer)
- Scaffolding
Correct answer: Socialization
Socialization is the process through which children learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their culture.
Question 4: A 2-year-old insists on doing everything 'by myself.' Which developmental domain does this behavior best reflect?
- Cognitive development
- Language development
- Social-emotional development (Correct answer)
- Gross motor development
Correct answer: Social-emotional development
This assertion of independence reflects the social-emotional milestone associated with Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage.
Question 5: Which brain development principle explains why early childhood experiences have long-lasting effects on development?
- Neuroplasticity declines sharply after birth
- Synaptic pruning is complete by age 3
- Early experiences shape neural connections during sensitive periods (Correct answer)
- The prefrontal cortex is fully developed by age 5
Correct answer: Early experiences shape neural connections during sensitive periods
Sensitive periods in early childhood are times when the brain is especially responsive to experiences that shape neural pathways.
Question 6: Parallel play, where children play alongside but not directly with each other, is most characteristic of which age group?
- 6–12 months
- 18–24 months (Correct answer)
- 4–5 years
- 6–7 years
Correct answer: 18–24 months
Parallel play is typical of toddlers around 18–24 months who are aware of peers but not yet engaging in cooperative play.
Question 7: Which theorist introduced the concept of 'scaffolding' to describe adult support of a child's learning?
- Jean Piaget
- Erik Erikson
- Lev Vygotsky (Correct answer)
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
Correct answer: Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory introduced scaffolding as temporary support provided by a more knowledgeable other to help a child accomplish tasks within their ZPD.
ECE Child Growth and Development 2
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict children ages 3–6 must resolve?