Child Development & Learning Flashcards

According to Vygotsky's theory, what is the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD)?

Answer: The gap between what a child can do alone and what they can do with guidance

The ZPD is the range of tasks a child cannot yet do alone but can accomplish with support from a more knowledgeable adult or peer.

Which milestone is typically expected of a 4-year-old child?

Answer: Drawing recognizable figures and telling stories

By age 4, most children can draw simple figures like people and engage in imaginative storytelling.

Parallel play, where children play near each other without direct interaction, is most common in which age group?

Answer: Toddlers (18–24 months)

Parallel play is characteristic of toddlers around 18–24 months, before cooperative play skills fully develop.

A child who insists on the same bedtime routine every night is demonstrating which developmental need?

Answer: Need for predictability and security

Young children thrive on consistent routines because predictability builds a sense of security and trust.

Which approach best supports a child's intrinsic motivation to learn?

Answer: Providing choice, autonomy, and genuine praise for effort

Intrinsic motivation is fostered when children feel autonomous, competent, and receive authentic feedback on their effort.

Object permanence — understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight — typically develops during which Piagetian stage?

Answer: Sensorimotor stage

Object permanence develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth to ~2 years), a core concept in Piaget's theory.

A daycare provider notices a 3-year-old frequently struggles to take turns and see others' perspectives. This is BEST explained by:

Answer: Egocentrism typical of the preoperational stage

Egocentrism in Piaget's preoperational stage (ages 2–7) makes it developmentally normal for young children to struggle seeing others' viewpoints.