AAFCS Child Development and Early Education 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to AAFCS standards, which theorist is most associated with the concept of 'scaffolding' in early childhood education?
- Jean Piaget
- Lev Vygotsky (Correct answer)
- Erik Erikson
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
Correct answer: Lev Vygotsky
Lev Vygotsky introduced the concept of scaffolding, in which adults or peers support a child's learning within the zone of proximal development.
Question 2: Which milestone is typically expected of a child at 24 months of age according to developmental norms?
- Speaking in full 5-word sentences
- Using a two-word phrase to communicate (Correct answer)
- Reading simple words
- Counting to 20
Correct answer: Using a two-word phrase to communicate
By 24 months, most children use two-word phrases such as 'more milk' or 'daddy go' as a key language milestone.
Question 3: In the AAFCS body of knowledge, which of the following best describes 'parallel play'?
- Children playing cooperatively toward a shared goal
- Children playing independently alongside each other without direct interaction (Correct answer)
- Children taking turns with a single toy
- Children engaging in imaginative role play together
Correct answer: Children playing independently alongside each other without direct interaction
Parallel play occurs when children play near each other but independently, which is typical of toddlers around ages 2–3.
Question 4: Which federal law governs the provision of special education services to children with disabilities in the US?
- Head Start Act
- Child Care and Development Block Grant Act
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Correct answer)
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Correct answer: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA mandates free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities, including the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Question 5: Which attachment style, identified by Mary Ainsworth, describes a child who explores freely when a caregiver is present but is easily comforted upon their return?
- Anxious-avoidant
- Disorganized
- Anxious-ambivalent
- Secure (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Secure
A securely attached child uses the caregiver as a safe base for exploration and seeks comfort from them when distressed.
Question 6: In early childhood programs, a 'developmentally appropriate practice' (DAP) as defined by NAEYC requires that activities be based on which THREE factors?
- Age, individual, and cultural/social context (Correct answer)
- Cost, safety, and group size
- Teacher preference, class size, and schedule
- State standards, parental input, and funding
Correct answer: Age, individual, and cultural/social context
NAEYC's DAP framework requires that practices be appropriate to a child's age, individual characteristics, and cultural and social context.
AAFCS Child Development and Early Education 1
According to AAFCS standards, which theorist is most associated with the concept of 'scaffolding' in early childhood education?