Child Development & Learning Theories Flashcards

According to Piaget, during which stage do children begin to think logically about concrete events but still struggle with abstract reasoning?

Answer: Concrete Operational

The concrete operational stage (ages 7–11) is when children develop logical thinking about tangible objects but cannot yet handle abstract concepts.

Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is best defined as:

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

The ZPD is the difference between what a learner can accomplish independently and what they can achieve with skilled assistance.

A teacher praises students each time they raise their hand quietly before speaking. This practice is best explained by:

Answer: Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning uses positive reinforcement (praise) to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior (raising hand quietly).

In Bloom's Taxonomy (revised), which cognitive level requires students to break information into component parts to explore relationships?

Answer: Analyzing

The Analyzing level involves breaking material into its parts and examining how those parts relate to one another and to the whole.

According to Erikson's psychosocial stages, the primary developmental conflict for school-age children (ages 6–12) is:

Answer: Industry vs. Inferiority

During Industry vs. Inferiority, children strive to master academic and social skills; repeated failure leads to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority.

The instructional support provided to help students reach their ZPD that is gradually removed as competence grows is called:

Answer: Scaffolding

Scaffolding is temporary, adjustable support that is progressively withdrawn as students develop independence and mastery.

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that:

Answer: Intelligence encompasses distinct types such as musical, spatial, and interpersonal

Gardner proposed at least eight distinct intelligences—including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, and interpersonal—challenging the notion of a single general intelligence.