Child Development & Learning Theory Flashcards
7 cards from real PTC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Child Development & Learning Theory flashcards as text
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs suggests that teachers should first address which level of student needs before academic learning can be effective?
Answer: Physiological and safety needs
Maslow's hierarchy places physiological (food, rest) and safety needs at the base; these must be met before students can focus on higher-order needs like learning.
Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development is characterized by egocentrism and the beginning of symbolic thought?
Answer: Preoperational
The Preoperational stage (ages 2–7) is marked by egocentrism, symbolic play, and language development, but children lack logical operations.
The concept of 'scaffolding' in education is derived from whose theoretical framework?
Answer: Lev Vygotsky
Scaffolding is a teaching strategy derived from Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, involving temporary support provided to help learners achieve tasks within their ZPD.
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is most useful in classroom instruction because it:
Answer: Encourages teachers to reach students through diverse learning modalities
Gardner's theory identifies at least eight types of intelligence, encouraging teachers to use varied instructional strategies to engage students with different strengths.
A child in Piaget's Concrete Operational stage would most likely be able to:
Answer: Understand that objects remain the same despite changes in appearance (conservation)
Conservation—understanding that quantity remains constant despite changes in shape or appearance—is a hallmark achievement of the Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11).
Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation in a student?
Answer: A student reads a book because she genuinely enjoys the story
Intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction or interest, such as reading for pleasure, rather than from external rewards or consequences.
According to attachment theory, a student who feels securely attached to caregivers is most likely to:
Answer: Demonstrate higher levels of social competence and academic resilience
Secure attachment, as described by Bowlby and Ainsworth, provides children with a safe base that supports exploration, risk-taking, and social-emotional development in school settings.