NES Child Development & Learning Theories 3

Question 1

Bowlby's attachment theory proposes that children's early bonds with primary caregivers:

Accepted Answer

Form the foundation for social-emotional development and all future relationships

Answer

Bowlby proposed that early secure attachments create an 'internal working model' that shapes children's expectations and behavior in all future social relationships.

Question 2

B.F. Skinner's concept of 'shaping' in operant conditioning involves:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired target behavior

Answer

Shaping reinforces behaviors that progressively approximate the target behavior, gradually guiding the learner toward the final desired skill or response.

Question 3

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which system encompasses the immediate settings where a child directly participates, such as home and school?

Accepted Answer

Microsystem

Answer

The microsystem is the innermost layer of Bronfenbrenner's model, consisting of the direct environments (home, school, peer group) in which the child actively participates.

Question 4

Which stage of language development is characterized by two-word utterances such as 'more milk' or 'daddy go'?

Accepted Answer

Telegraphic speech stage

Answer

Telegraphic speech (approximately 18–24 months) involves two-word utterances that use only essential content words to convey meaning, much like an old-fashioned telegram.

Question 5

The concept of a 'sensitive period' (or critical period) in child development suggests that:

Accepted Answer

There are optimal windows of time during which certain skills are most easily and naturally acquired

Answer

Sensitive/critical periods are times when the brain is especially receptive to specific types of input, making skill acquisition—such as language learning—more efficient.

NES Test Practice Test

NES Test Practice Test

NES Child Development & Learning Theories 3