Child Development & Learning Theories Flashcards
7 cards from real CCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Child Development & Learning Theories flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'developmentally appropriate practice' (DAP) as defined by NAEYC?
Answer: Basing teaching decisions on knowledge of child development, individual children, and cultural context
DAP requires that educators use knowledge of development, individual variation, and cultural/community context to make informed, intentional teaching decisions.
In Erikson's theory, a school-age child (6–12) who successfully resolves their psychosocial crisis develops a sense of:
Answer: Industry
The Industry vs. Inferiority stage (ages 6–12) results in a sense of competence and industry when children master skills and receive recognition for their work.
Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation in a child care setting?
Answer: A child draws a picture because she finds it enjoyable
Intrinsic motivation comes from within — doing an activity for the inherent satisfaction or enjoyment it provides, not for external rewards or to avoid punishment.
The term 'sensitive period' in child development (associated with Montessori and others) refers to:
Answer: A window when the brain is especially receptive to acquiring specific skills
Sensitive periods are windows of heightened neurological receptivity during which particular skills — like language or order — are acquired most easily.
A provider notices that a child from a collectivist cultural background prefers group activities over individual tasks. Which approach is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Recognize cultural values and incorporate collaborative activities into the curriculum
Culturally responsive practice means valuing and incorporating children's cultural backgrounds, including collectivist values that prioritize group harmony and cooperation.
Which research finding BEST supports the importance of responsive caregiving in the first year of life?
Answer: Consistent, responsive care promotes secure attachment and healthy brain development
Research consistently shows that responsive caregiving — reading and meeting infant cues reliably — forms the foundation of secure attachment and optimal brain development.
A child who watches an adult sort objects by color and then independently sorts a new set of objects by color is demonstrating which concept from Bandura's social learning theory?
Answer: Observational learning
Observational learning (modeling) occurs when a child learns a new behavior by watching and imitating another person, without direct reinforcement of their own behavior.