Child Development and Learning Flashcards
6 cards from real PGCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Child Development and Learning flashcards as text
What does 'theory of mind' mean in child development, and at what age does it typically develop?
Answer: The ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, intentions, knowledge) to oneself and others, typically developing around ages 3-5
Theory of mind - understanding that others have beliefs, desires and intentions different from one's own - typically emerges around age 4, with the classic 'false belief' task as a marker.
What is 'scaffolded play' in early years education and what role does it serve?
Answer: Play in which an adult or more capable peer supports and extends the child learning within the ZPD through sensitive intervention
Scaffolded play involves a knowledgeable adult supporting and extending children's play to promote learning just beyond their current level, consistent with Vygotsky's ZPD.
What does 'co-regulation' mean in the context of children's emotional development?
Answer: The process by which a calm, attuned adult helps a child manage their emotional states, gradually building the child own self-regulation capacity
Co-regulation describes how an adult's calm, regulated presence and responsive support helps a dysregulated child return to a calm state, and over time builds the child's independent self-regulation.
What does research on 'transition points' (e.g. from primary to secondary school) tell teachers about pupil development?
Answer: Transition points are periods of vulnerability where attainment dips, anxiety rises, and social networks are disrupted, requiring targeted support
Research consistently shows attainment dips, wellbeing drops, and social anxiety peaks around transition; proactive transition support significantly mitigates these effects.
How does 'cumulative disadvantage' relate to children's educational outcomes?
Answer: The process by which multiple overlapping disadvantages (poverty, SEND, poor housing, trauma) compound over time, widening the gap between disadvantaged and advantaged pupils
When multiple risk factors (poverty, SEND, instability) co-occur and persist over time, they interact and amplify each other impact on development and attainment, making early, targeted intervention critical.
What is Chomsky's 'language acquisition device' (LAD) and what are its implications for literacy teaching?
Answer: Chomsky theoretical innate mechanism that predisposes humans to acquire language; it explains why children acquire language rapidly without explicit instruction
Chomsky proposed humans are born with a LAD - an innate capacity for grammar acquisition - explaining how children master complex language rapidly despite limited input, relevant to understanding natural language development.