CNM Childcare & Developmental Psychology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 3-year-old frequently engages in 'parallel play,' working alongside peers without direct interaction. This behavior is best described as:
- Asocial behavior requiring intervention
- A normal developmental stage in early childhood (Correct answer)
- A sign of autism spectrum disorder
- Regression due to a new sibling
Correct answer: A normal developmental stage in early childhood
Parallel play is a typical and expected social development stage for toddlers, where children play near each other without interacting directly.
Question 2: According to Erik Erikson, a child aged 3–5 years is primarily resolving which psychosocial conflict?
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Initiative vs. Guilt (Correct answer)
- Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct answer: Initiative vs. Guilt
Erikson's third stage, Initiative vs. Guilt, occurs during the preschool years (ages 3–5) when children begin asserting control through play and social interactions.
Question 3: A nanny notices that a 9-month-old cries when she leaves the room. This reaction is best explained by:
- Insecure attachment
- Separation anxiety, a normal developmental milestone (Correct answer)
- Sensory processing issues
- Colic
Correct answer: Separation anxiety, a normal developmental milestone
Separation anxiety typically emerges around 8–12 months and reflects healthy attachment to caregivers, not a behavioral problem.
Question 4: Which feeding approach is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for infants under 6 months?
- Introduction of soft pureed foods
- Exclusive breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula (Correct answer)
- Water supplementation during hot weather
- Rice cereal mixed with formula
Correct answer: Exclusive breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula
The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula for the first 6 months, as infants do not need water or solid foods before this age.
Question 5: When a toddler insists on doing things 'by myself,' a CNM should primarily:
- Redirect the behavior to avoid frustration
- Allow safe opportunities for autonomy to support development (Correct answer)
- Discourage it to maintain safety and efficiency
- Document it as a behavioral concern
Correct answer: Allow safe opportunities for autonomy to support development
Supporting a toddler's drive for independence within safe boundaries fosters Erikson's Autonomy stage and builds self-confidence.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'scaffolding' as used in early childhood education?
- Using physical structures during outdoor play
- Providing temporary support to help a child master a skill just beyond their current level (Correct answer)
- A method of behavior correction using time-outs
- Teaching academic subjects using repetition
Correct answer: Providing temporary support to help a child master a skill just beyond their current level
Scaffolding, based on Vygotsky's theory, involves a caregiver providing just enough support to help a child succeed at a task they couldn't complete alone.
Question 7: A 6-year-old who has not yet developed the ability to understand that a tall, thin glass and a short, wide glass can hold the same amount of water is missing which Piagetian concept?
- Object permanence
- Egocentrism
- Conservation (Correct answer)
- Seriation
Correct answer: Conservation
Conservation is the understanding that quantity does not change despite changes in shape or appearance, typically mastered during the Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11).
CNM Childcare & Developmental Psychology 2
A 3-year-old frequently engages in 'parallel play,' working alongside peers without direct interaction.
This behavior is best described as: