Practice Test Geeks(ECE) Early Childhood Education Certificate Practice Test
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Child Development Theories Flashcards

7 cards from real ECE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. A preschooler insists that a tall, thin glass holds more juice than a short, wide glass even after watching the same amount poured between them. This illustrates Piaget's concept of:

    Answer: Lack of conservation

    Lack of conservation is the inability to understand that quantity stays the same despite changes in shape or appearance, characteristic of the preoperational stage.

  2. According to Erikson, a child who successfully resolves the 'Initiative vs. Guilt' stage develops a sense of:

    Answer: Purpose and the ability to take initiative

    Successful resolution of Initiative vs. Guilt (ages 3–6) results in a child who feels capable of leading activities and taking on new challenges.

  3. B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning theory explains child behavior through:

    Answer: Consequences (reinforcement and punishment) that increase or decrease behavior

    Skinner demonstrated that voluntary behaviors are shaped by their consequences — reinforced behaviors increase while punished behaviors decrease.

  4. In Bronfenbrenner's model, the 'macrosystem' refers to:

    Answer: Broader cultural values, laws, and societal norms that shape development

    The macrosystem is the outermost layer encompassing cultural beliefs, economic policies, and societal values that indirectly influence all other systems.

  5. Which developmental theorist believed that children are 'blank slates' whose behavior is entirely shaped by environmental experiences?

    Answer: John Watson

    John Watson, the founder of behaviorism, rejected innate factors and argued that environment and conditioning determine all behavior.

  6. Piaget's concept of 'object permanence' — the understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight — is typically achieved during which stage?

    Answer: Sensorimotor stage

    Object permanence is a key milestone of the sensorimotor stage (birth–2 years), fully developing around 8–12 months.

  7. A child who has a secure attachment is MOST likely to:

    Answer: Use the caregiver as a safe base to explore the environment

    Securely attached children feel confident using their caregiver as a base for exploration and are readily comforted when reunited after separation.