OAE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield OAE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under IDEA, parents who disagree with the school's evaluation or placement decision have the right to: → Request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense
2. According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, the primary conflict for children in the preschool years (ages 3 to 5) is: → Initiative vs. Guilt
3. Which of the following is an example of an emotion regulation strategy appropriate for preschool-age children? → Teaching children to use a calm-down corner with breathing visuals
4. Which assessment approach observes and records a child's typical behavior and performance in natural settings over time to inform special education eligibility? → Portfolio and authentic assessment
5. Which of the following is a proactive, antecedent-based strategy for reducing challenging behavior in early childhood classrooms? → Providing clear, consistent visual schedules so children know what to expect
6. Which practice BEST supports dual language learners (DLLs) in an early childhood classroom? → Valuing and incorporating children's home languages while scaffolding English
7. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a preschool child with a disability MUST include: → Present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, and services to be provided
8. The concept of 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) means that children with disabilities should: → Be educated alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate
9. Which of the following teacher actions during a shared read-aloud is most effective for fostering preschoolers' understanding of concepts of print? → Pointing to each word on the page as it is read aloud.
10. A child from a culture where direct eye contact with adults is considered disrespectful avoids looking at the teacher when speaking. The teacher should: → Recognize this as a cultural norm and adjust expectations accordingly
11. When conducting child screenings to identify possible developmental delays, early childhood educators should be aware that: → Screenings are brief first-level tools that indicate whether further evaluation is needed
12. Which of the following describes a key milestone in expressive language development for a typical three-year-old? → Speaking in sentences of four or more words.
13. Assistive technology (AT) in early childhood special education refers to: → Any device or service that helps a child with a disability function more independently
14. A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is conducted primarily to: → Identify the function or purpose a challenging behavior serves for the child
15. When a toddler has a meltdown after being told 'no,' the most appropriate caregiver response is to: → Firmly repeat the limit while acknowledging the child's feelings
16. According to Erik Erikson's stages, a 4-year-old child who is encouraged to initiate activities and take on leadership roles is developing a sense of: → Initiative
17. Which framework uses a multi-tiered approach to provide early, systematic assistance to struggling learners before formal special education referral? → Response to Intervention (RTI)
18. Which of the following activities best promotes the development of number sense, specifically one-to-one correspondence, in a four-year-old? → Asking the child to set the snack table by placing one napkin by each plate.
19. A teacher uses 'choice-giving' as a guidance strategy (e.g., 'Do you want to put on your coat first or your backpack?'). The PRIMARY benefit is: → It gives children a sense of control within safe limits, reducing power struggles
20. Under IDEA, which part governs early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to age 3? → Part C
21. Which early intervention program is federally funded and specifically designed to serve children ages birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities? → Part C of IDEA
22. Which of the following activities would be most effective in promoting a preschooler's oral language development? → Engaging the child in frequent, rich conversations and dramatic play.
23. Under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), children with disabilities ages 3–5 are entitled to: → A free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment
24. A kindergarten student writes 'I Lk Dgs' on her drawing of a dog. This is a developmentally appropriate example of which stage of emergent writing? → Invented spelling
25. Which behavior is MOST consistent with secure attachment in a toddler? → Exploring freely but seeking the caregiver periodically for reassurance
26. Which term describes the ability to understand that another person has different thoughts, feelings, or knowledge than oneself? → Theory of Mind
27. Anti-bias education in early childhood classrooms is BEST described as: → Actively challenging prejudice and promoting equity, fairness, and respect for diversity
28. Which strategy BEST supports the social competence of a shy, withdrawn 3-year-old in a group setting? → Pairing the child with one familiar peer for small structured activities
29. When a child's home language is not English and the teacher does not speak that language, which strategy is MOST appropriate? → Use visual supports, bilingual volunteers, translated materials, and family partnerships
30. An early childhood teacher notices a child has persistent difficulty sharing and frequently acts aggressively toward peers. The FIRST step should be to: → Conduct structured observation to identify patterns in the behavior