Child Growth and Development Flashcards

Attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby, emphasizes that secure attachments form primarily through:

Answer: Consistent, sensitive caregiving responses

Bowlby's attachment theory holds that infants develop secure bonds when caregivers consistently and sensitively respond to their needs.

During which stage of play development do children typically play side-by-side without direct interaction?

Answer: Parallel play

Parallel play occurs when children play near each other using similar materials but without coordinating their activities.

A 9-month-old begins to cry when a stranger approaches. This reaction is called:

Answer: Stranger anxiety

Stranger anxiety typically emerges between 6–12 months as infants begin to distinguish familiar caregivers from unfamiliar people.

According to Piaget, a child demonstrates conservation of liquid when they understand that:

Answer: The amount of liquid remains the same despite a change in container shape

Conservation of liquid is the understanding that volume does not change even when the liquid is poured into a differently shaped container.

Which type of temperament is characterized by regularity in biological functions, positive mood, and easy adaptability to new situations?

Answer: Easy

Children with an 'easy' temperament show predictable routines, generally positive affect, and adapt readily to change.

Language development research indicates that by 24 months, most children have a productive vocabulary of approximately:

Answer: 200–300 words

By age 2 most children have around 200–300 words in their productive vocabulary and are beginning to combine two-word phrases.

Which brain region undergoes the most rapid development during the first three years of life and is closely tied to emotional regulation?

Answer: Prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex, which governs executive functions and emotional regulation, shows dramatic synaptic growth in the first three years.