CECE Classroom Management & Behavior Guidance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a Tier 1 support in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for behavior?
- Individualized behavior intervention plan for one child
- Small-group social skills lessons for children at risk
- Universal positive behavior expectations taught to all children (Correct answer)
- One-on-one counseling referral for a child with severe behaviors
Correct answer: Universal positive behavior expectations taught to all children
Tier 1 supports are universal strategies applied to all children in the classroom, such as teaching and reinforcing behavioral expectations school-wide.
Question 2: A child frequently disrupts circle time by talking out loud. The teacher decides to give the child a special helper role during circle time. This strategy is an example of:
- Punishment to discourage further disruption
- Planned ignoring of the disruptive behavior
- Antecedent modification to prevent behavior problems (Correct answer)
- Extinction of the behavior through non-reinforcement
Correct answer: Antecedent modification to prevent behavior problems
Giving the child a role modifies the antecedent conditions of circle time, keeping the child engaged and reducing the likelihood of disruption.
Question 3: Documentation of a child's behavioral patterns is MOST useful for:
- Justifying removing the child from the classroom permanently
- Identifying trends, triggers, and informing intervention decisions (Correct answer)
- Sharing with other parents to warn them about the child
- Fulfilling state licensing requirements for incident records
Correct answer: Identifying trends, triggers, and informing intervention decisions
Systematic documentation helps educators identify patterns, triggers, and the effectiveness of interventions to guide data-based decisions.
Question 4: In early childhood settings, ignoring minor misbehaviors (planned ignoring) is most effective when combined with:
- Strict verbal reprimands for any behavior that re-occurs
- Consistent praise and attention for appropriate alternative behaviors (Correct answer)
- Removing the child from the activity during the ignored behavior
- Written behavioral contracts signed by parents and child
Correct answer: Consistent praise and attention for appropriate alternative behaviors
Planned ignoring is effective only when paired with reinforcing appropriate behavior so the child learns which behavior earns attention.
Question 5: A teacher suspects a child's chronic challenging behavior may be related to a developmental delay. The appropriate next step is to:
- Refer the child directly to a special education classroom
- Document observations and share concerns with the family and intervention team (Correct answer)
- Increase consequences for the behavior until it improves
- Wait until kindergarten before taking any action
Correct answer: Document observations and share concerns with the family and intervention team
Documenting observations and collaborating with family and specialists is the appropriate first step before any referral or placement decisions.
Question 6: Which practice best supports children's internalization of classroom expectations over time?
- Posting the rules in one location and referring to them only when broken
- Repeatedly practicing and role-playing expected behaviors in real contexts (Correct answer)
- Sending a rule list home for parents to review with children nightly
- Rewarding only those children who follow every rule every day
Correct answer: Repeatedly practicing and role-playing expected behaviors in real contexts
Repeated practice and role-playing in authentic contexts builds behavioral competence so children internalize, not just memorize, expectations.
Question 7: The primary purpose of a functional behavior assessment (FBA) is to:
- Determine whether a child qualifies for special education services
- Identify the purpose or function that a behavior serves for the child (Correct answer)
- Assign appropriate consequences for repeated misbehaviors
- Measure how often a behavior occurs during a school day
Correct answer: Identify the purpose or function that a behavior serves for the child
An FBA identifies why a behavior is occurring (its function) so that interventions can address the underlying need driving the behavior.
CECE Classroom Management & Behavior Guidance 5
Which of the following is an example of a Tier 1 support in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for behavior?