Pedagogy: Early Childhood (Birth to Grade 3)
Subtest 1 Sample Items
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Question 1
1. The emergence of sociodramatic play in the activities of preschool children is most closely associated with the development of which of the following cognitive abilities?
- problem solving
- hypothetical thinking
- spatial reasoning
- representational thinking
Answer to question 1
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0001) Sociodramatic play is a type of make-believe or pretend play in which children build and express their understanding of the world by jointly acting out personal experiences, emotions, observations, and ideas. A key feature of children's sociodramatic play is the use of objects in the immediate environment (e.g., blocks, dolls, yarn, sticks, wooden spoons) to represent objects, events, and ideas imagined and/or experienced by the children in their everyday lives. For example, a wooden block might represent a telephone for conversing with an imaginary friend, a car to drive around the rug, a juice carton to drink from, or an airplane to fly to a grandparent's house. Sociodramatic play is thus an ideal vehicle for promoting children's development of representational thinking.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0001) Sociodramatic play is a type of make-believe or pretend play in which children build and express their understanding of the world by jointly acting out personal experiences, emotions, observations, and ideas. A key feature of children's sociodramatic play is the use of objects in the immediate environment (e.g., blocks, dolls, yarn, sticks, wooden spoons) to represent objects, events, and ideas imagined and/or experienced by the children in their everyday lives. For example, a wooden block might represent a telephone for conversing with an imaginary friend, a car to drive around the rug, a juice carton to drink from, or an airplane to fly to a grandparent's house. Sociodramatic play is thus an ideal vehicle for promoting children's development of representational thinking.
Question 2
2. A preschool teacher can best apply the concept of Maslow's hierarchy of needs by making which of the following goals a priority?
- creating a physically and emotionally safe classroom environment for children
- planning activities to promote the development of children's social and communication skills
- providing frequent opportunities for children to express themselves creatively
- using various forms of assessment to identify gaps in children's knowledge and skills
Answer to question 2
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) Maslow's hierarchy of needs is generally portrayed as a pyramid, with the most basic needs (e.g., physiological, safety) forming the pyramid's base. Safety needs include an orderly, predictable, and emotionally secure environment that is free from threat or domination. In educational contexts, Maslow's theory suggests that children whose basic physiological and safety needs are unmet feel anxious and tense and are unable to focus on learning and developing the complex skills and abilities that will help them achieve their full potential.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) Maslow's hierarchy of needs is generally portrayed as a pyramid, with the most basic needs (e.g., physiological, safety) forming the pyramid's base. Safety needs include an orderly, predictable, and emotionally secure environment that is free from threat or domination. In educational contexts, Maslow's theory suggests that children whose basic physiological and safety needs are unmet feel anxious and tense and are unable to focus on learning and developing the complex skills and abilities that will help them achieve their full potential.
Question 3
3. Children who experience persistent and severe ear infections as infants and toddlers tend to have a greater risk for delays in:
- motor skills.
- spatial perception.
- schema formation.
- language production.
Answer to question 3
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0001) Ear infections are characterized by inflammation of the middle ear with fluid buildup that causes the bones of the ear to vibrate improperly, often resulting in mild, temporary hearing loss that can last as long as the fluid is present. During the first three years of life, children are learning to understand and produce speech. Frequent interference with children's ability to hear and understand speech can reduce the quality of interactions with others, which is the primary means by which they learn to produce language.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0001) Ear infections are characterized by inflammation of the middle ear with fluid buildup that causes the bones of the ear to vibrate improperly, often resulting in mild, temporary hearing loss that can last as long as the fluid is present. During the first three years of life, children are learning to understand and produce speech. Frequent interference with children's ability to hear and understand speech can reduce the quality of interactions with others, which is the primary means by which they learn to produce language.
Question 4
4. A second-grade teacher can promote students' creativity most effectively by adopting which of the following approaches?
- providing direct instruction in different models of problem solving
- encouraging attempts at unusual solutions to problems
- incorporating individual reflection as a key aspect of small-group projects
- keeping project and assignment due dates open ended to the greatest extent possible
Answer to question 4
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0001) Creative thinkers apply their knowledge and experience in original ways to make discoveries and expand their understanding. By encouraging second graders to problem solve on their own and come up with unusual solutions to a variety of challenges presented to them, the teacher is helping them become independent thinkers who respond to new experiences with imagination.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0001) Creative thinkers apply their knowledge and experience in original ways to make discoveries and expand their understanding. By encouraging second graders to problem solve on their own and come up with unusual solutions to a variety of challenges presented to them, the teacher is helping them become independent thinkers who respond to new experiences with imagination.
Question 5
5. A student in a second-grade class has poorly developed fine-motor skills and becomes easily frustrated with tasks that involve writing or coloring. The teacher can best address the student's developmental needs in this area by taking which of the following steps first?
- arranging for an occupational therapist to evaluate the student's fine-motor skills
- requesting that a paraprofessional be assigned to act as a scribe for the student
- providing the student with supports such as a pencil grip and enlarged activity sheets
- suggesting that the student observe or listen during activities that require fine-motor skills
Answer to question 5
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0001) In the case of a student with poorly developed fine-motor skills, a device such as a pencil grip may be sufficient to help the student position his or her fingers correctly on a writing/drawing implement. By trying out a relatively simple solution first, the teacher may enable the student to readily achieve success at a task that has been frustrating for him or her. However, the teacher should always be prepared to explore other solutions if a simpler approach is not adequate to meet the child's needs.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0001) In the case of a student with poorly developed fine-motor skills, a device such as a pencil grip may be sufficient to help the student position his or her fingers correctly on a writing/drawing implement. By trying out a relatively simple solution first, the teacher may enable the student to readily achieve success at a task that has been frustrating for him or her. However, the teacher should always be prepared to explore other solutions if a simpler approach is not adequate to meet the child's needs.
Question 6
6. In the typical course of infant development, which of the following developmental milestones is generally the latest to appear?
- smiling at familiar faces
- turning the head to locate a sound
- rolling from stomach to back
- making cooing sounds
Answer to question 6
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0001) Typical infant development follows a characteristic sequence of milestones as the infant brain and body mature. Of the milestones listed, smiling at familiar faces, turning the head to locate a sound, and making cooing sounds typically appear between 1-3 months of age, while the milestone of rolling over (either from stomach to back or back to stomach) is most often acquired between the ages of 4 and 7 months.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0001) Typical infant development follows a characteristic sequence of milestones as the infant brain and body mature. Of the milestones listed, smiling at familiar faces, turning the head to locate a sound, and making cooing sounds typically appear between 1-3 months of age, while the milestone of rolling over (either from stomach to back or back to stomach) is most often acquired between the ages of 4 and 7 months.
Question 7
7. According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, young children face which of the following key challenges during the infancy period?
- acquiring trust in other people
- learning to take personal initiative
- building feelings of competence
- developing a sense of autonomy
Answer to question 7
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) Erik Erikson's theory states that over their lifespans, human beings pass through a series of eight psychosocial stages or crises that must be resolved successfully in order for the individual to adapt well to his or her environment. According to Erikson, the crisis encountered in infancy (age 0–18 months) is whether the infant will develop a fundamental sense of trust or distrust in other people. Infants whose physical and emotional needs are met by their parents/guardians will acquire a sense of trust and security that will promote their successful progression to the next stage.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) Erik Erikson's theory states that over their lifespans, human beings pass through a series of eight psychosocial stages or crises that must be resolved successfully in order for the individual to adapt well to his or her environment. According to Erikson, the crisis encountered in infancy (age 0–18 months) is whether the infant will develop a fundamental sense of trust or distrust in other people. Infants whose physical and emotional needs are met by their parents/guardians will acquire a sense of trust and security that will promote their successful progression to the next stage.
A large square has been drawn to represent a sheet of paper. At the top of the sheet of paper is a title that says "Learning About Transportation." Below the title is a direction line that says "Put a check mark next to each activity you completed." Below the direction line, four activities are listed. Beside each activity, on the left side of the page, is a short line on which the student can put a check mark to indicate that he or she has completed that activity. The text of the first activity is as follows: "Read pages 25 through 28 in the book with a partner. I read the chapter with." After the word "with" is a blank line on which the student can write the name of his or her partner. The text of the second activity is as follows: "Draw a picture of three kinds of transportation. I drew a picture of." After the word "of" is a blank line on which the student can write the three types of transportation he or she drew. The text of the third activity is as follows: "Do one activity in the transportation center. I did the activity about." After the word "about" is a blank line on which the student can write which activity he or she did. The text of the fourth activity is as follows: "Fill in the transportation web." Along the bottom of the sheet of paper is a line labeled "Name" where the student can write his or her name.
Question 8
8. Use the figure below to answer the question that follows.
Learning About Transportation
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Put a check mark next to each activity you completed.
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_______
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Read pages 25–28 in the book with a partner. I read the chapter with
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_______
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Draw a picture of three kinds of transportation. I drew a picture of
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_______
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Do one activity in the transportation center. I did the activity about
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_______
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Fill in the transportation web.
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Name
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Students in a second-grade class are studying transportation. During this unit, the teacher provides students with the checklist shown. Every day or two, the teacher reviews each child's checklist and guides the children in keeping their checklists up to date. This strategy is likely to be especially effective for helping the students:
- manage their time effectively.
- begin to assume responsibility for their own learning.
- identify their personal learning style.
- spend increasing periods of time engaged in productive tasks.
Answer to question 8
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) One of an early childhood teacher's key responsibilities is to promote young children's growth as independent learners. By routinely providing children with opportunities to work with partners, make independent choices, and monitor their own activities, the teacher encourages children to assume responsibility for their own learning. Providing children with such opportunities on a regular basis promotes children's development of independent habits of mind.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) One of an early childhood teacher's key responsibilities is to promote young children's growth as independent learners. By routinely providing children with opportunities to work with partners, make independent choices, and monitor their own activities, the teacher encourages children to assume responsibility for their own learning. Providing children with such opportunities on a regular basis promotes children's development of independent habits of mind.
Question 9
9. A second-grade teacher who wishes to apply Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of learning should make which of the following types of activities an integral part of classroom instruction?
- creative expression
- team competitions
- partner and small-group
- basic skills drill-and-practice
Answer to question 9
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of learning describes learning as a social process and suggests that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition. Vygotsky believed that learning occurs first between people and then within the individual. The implications of Vygotsky's theory is that children need socially rich environments in which to explore knowledge domains with other children, an outcome supported by regular use of partner and small-group learning activities.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of learning describes learning as a social process and suggests that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition. Vygotsky believed that learning occurs first between people and then within the individual. The implications of Vygotsky's theory is that children need socially rich environments in which to explore knowledge domains with other children, an outcome supported by regular use of partner and small-group learning activities.
Question 10
10. A prekindergarten teacher is teaching a unit on the five senses. The teacher is planning a lesson about texture. Which of the following initial strategies is likely to be most effective in helping children construct meaning with regard to this concept?
- leading children in an activity in which they try to think of as many texture words as they can
- playing a game in which the teacher says a texture word and children find an item in the room with that texture
- allowing children to manipulate items with various textures and talk about their observations
- demonstrating for children how to make rubbings of different objects with crayons or chalk
Answer to question 10
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Prekindergarten children are concrete learners who require direct experience with concrete objects to construct knowledge effectively. The opportunity to explore a concept with real materials and verbalize observations helps extend the depth of children's understanding and promotes development of a meaningful vocabulary with regard to the targeted concept.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Prekindergarten children are concrete learners who require direct experience with concrete objects to construct knowledge effectively. The opportunity to explore a concept with real materials and verbalize observations helps extend the depth of children's understanding and promotes development of a meaningful vocabulary with regard to the targeted concept.
Question 11
11. Which of the following behaviors by a nine-month-old child during feeding time most clearly indicates that the child is exploring the concept of cause and effect?
- mixing several foods together and then eating the mixture
- using hands and fingers to investigate the textures of unfamiliar foods before tasting them
- discarding a spoon in favor of using hands and fingers to eat
- dropping a spoon from a high chair repeatedly and observing the caregiver return it to the tray
Answer to question 11
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) The sequence of events described in the scenario provides a clear demonstration of a cause-and-effect relationship: the child drops the spoon (the cause) and the caregiver returns the spoon to the tray (the effect). The child's repeated engagement in this activity offers a window to his or her underlying thought process: by purposefully taking action and observing the consequences, the child is constructing knowledge of how the world works.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) The sequence of events described in the scenario provides a clear demonstration of a cause-and-effect relationship: the child drops the spoon (the cause) and the caregiver returns the spoon to the tray (the effect). The child's repeated engagement in this activity offers a window to his or her underlying thought process: by purposefully taking action and observing the consequences, the child is constructing knowledge of how the world works.
Question 12
12. A preschool child brings two toy boats to school to show at circle time. The child explains that the boats really float and the teacher invites the child to demonstrate in the water center. Another child states, "They float because they're small." A third child responds, "Big things can float, too." Soon all of the children begin discussing their ideas about what will and will not float. The teacher can best help children gain a better understanding of the concept of flotation by taking which of the following actions?
- inviting a lifeguard to explain to children how flotation devices (e.g., life jackets) work
- teaching children flotation-related vocabulary terms such as buoyant and density
- providing a variety of objects in the water center that children can test to see what will and will not float
- leading a game in which the teacher shows a picture and children guess whether the object pictured will or will not float
Answer to question 12
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Preschool-age children learn best through direct physical interaction with concrete materials. In the situation described, the teacher applies knowledge of the way children learn by providing them with objects to use to test their ideas. Having the opportunity to place various objects on the surface of the water and observe and discuss the results will build the children's understanding of what types of objects float and what types sink.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Preschool-age children learn best through direct physical interaction with concrete materials. In the situation described, the teacher applies knowledge of the way children learn by providing them with objects to use to test their ideas. Having the opportunity to place various objects on the surface of the water and observe and discuss the results will build the children's understanding of what types of objects float and what types sink.
Question 13
13. Teachers can best ensure that learning experiences will be appropriate for students by considering which of the following questions first?
- Do students demonstrate similar levels of development across domains?
- Have students achieved the level of cognitive development needed to perform the planned tasks?
- Do the planned tasks reflect the principles of a recognized learning theory?
- Have students demonstrated interest in a particular type of learning activity in other lessons?
Answer to question 13
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) Early childhood teachers must have a good understanding of individual children's levels of cognitive development in order to plan experiences that will effectively promote learning. For example, a child who is not yet able to use one-to-one correspondence to count a small group of blocks would not yet be capable of understanding activities involving simple addition.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) Early childhood teachers must have a good understanding of individual children's levels of cognitive development in order to plan experiences that will effectively promote learning. For example, a child who is not yet able to use one-to-one correspondence to count a small group of blocks would not yet be capable of understanding activities involving simple addition.
Question 14
14. The teachers in a preschool create labels for the different classroom areas (e.g., "Meeting Rug," "Snack Table," "Housekeeping Area," "Science Center"). They also label each child's cubby with his or her name. The teachers regularly refer to the labels during the course of the day (e.g., when discussing children's activity choices or where children might find certain types of materials). This practice would be especially effective for building children's understanding of which of the following literacy concepts?
- phonemic awareness
- functions of print
- sound-symbol relationships
- alphabetic principle
Answer to question 14
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) Preschool-age children construct knowledge through their direct experiences with the world around them. When preschool teachers provide children with hands-on experiences in various learning centers, for example, the children learn the characteristics and names of the materials they play with (e.g., blocks, crayons, puzzles). Similarly, by posting a printed label at each center (e.g., block center) and saying, "Look, here's a sign that says block center, so we know that this is where the blocks are kept"), or by creating a name label for each child's cubby, the teacher is introducing the notion that the labels can provide them with useful information. Through these practices, children are learning about the functions of print, even though they may not yet be able to read or even to recite the letters of the alphabet.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0002) Preschool-age children construct knowledge through their direct experiences with the world around them. When preschool teachers provide children with hands-on experiences in various learning centers, for example, the children learn the characteristics and names of the materials they play with (e.g., blocks, crayons, puzzles). Similarly, by posting a printed label at each center (e.g., block center) and saying, "Look, here's a sign that says block center, so we know that this is where the blocks are kept"), or by creating a name label for each child's cubby, the teacher is introducing the notion that the labels can provide them with useful information. Through these practices, children are learning about the functions of print, even though they may not yet be able to read or even to recite the letters of the alphabet.
Question 15
15. A preschool teacher wants to plan mathematics activities that will be responsive to children's varied experiences, characteristics, and needs. Which of the following strategies would best provide the teacher with information to support this goal?
- conferring with parents/guardians about their children's math-related behaviors and activities at home
- creating simple paper-and-pencil math tests to administer to the class on a weekly basis
- posing math-related problems, such as asking students to form themselves into groups of various sizes
- observing and conversing with children as they work and play with various manipulatives
Answer to question 15
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) In order to plan developmentally appropriate mathematics activities for a preschool-age child, a teacher needs to have a good idea of each child's existing knowledge related to mathematical concepts (e.g., bigger and smaller, more than and less than, round and square, one-to-one correspondence). With a young child, the best way to make such a determination would be to observe and talk with the child as he or she interacts with various relevant materials.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) In order to plan developmentally appropriate mathematics activities for a preschool-age child, a teacher needs to have a good idea of each child's existing knowledge related to mathematical concepts (e.g., bigger and smaller, more than and less than, round and square, one-to-one correspondence). With a young child, the best way to make such a determination would be to observe and talk with the child as he or she interacts with various relevant materials.
Question 16
16. At the beginning of the school year, a third-grade teacher learns that the class will include a student who has a mild developmental cognitive disability (DCD). Which of the following teacher strategies would be most effective in addressing the academic needs of this student?
- presenting content to the student in small steps with extensive practice before moving to a new concept or skill
- utilizing a consistent assessment method and format to measure the student's learning progress
- ensuring that the student has an unobstructed view of the teacher during instructional activities
- implementing a color-coding system to organize the student's textbooks and other materials by content area
Answer to question 16
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) Children with developmental cognitive disabilities (DCDs) demonstrate below-average intellectual functioning and learn at a slower pace than their peers without disabilities. Short-term memory is one area in which children with DCDs face particular challenges. Presenting content in small steps with extensive practice helps prevent cognitive overload and frustration and supports children's ability to internalize content learning to their long-term memory.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) Children with developmental cognitive disabilities (DCDs) demonstrate below-average intellectual functioning and learn at a slower pace than their peers without disabilities. Short-term memory is one area in which children with DCDs face particular challenges. Presenting content in small steps with extensive practice helps prevent cognitive overload and frustration and supports children's ability to internalize content learning to their long-term memory.
Question 17
17. A kindergarten class includes a few English language learners who speak very little English. Which of the following strategies represents the teacher's best initial step in promoting these students' acquisition and use of English?
- identifying an English "word of the day" to emphasize in classroom activities
- providing the students with small-group English instruction while other students are having center time
- embedding key English words and phrases into daily interactions and activities
- requesting the assistance of staff to translate the students' communications into English for the class
Answer to question 17
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) Research studies show that introducing beginning English language learners to English in contexts that are relevant to their lives is an effective strategy for promoting acquisition and use of English. Embedding key English vocabulary into daily classroom interactions and activities is one method of providing this type of contextualized language.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) Research studies show that introducing beginning English language learners to English in contexts that are relevant to their lives is an effective strategy for promoting acquisition and use of English. Embedding key English vocabulary into daily classroom interactions and activities is one method of providing this type of contextualized language.
Question 18
18. An early childhood teacher of a culturally diverse group of three-year-olds has a goal of fostering children's knowledge and pride in their cultural identity. The teacher can begin to achieve this goal most effectively by:
- setting aside a period each day for children to engage in cultural activities.
- displaying throughout the room photographs of children from many different cultural groups.
- connecting cultural activities to the daily lives of individual children and their families.
- arranging for children to attend cultural events in the immediate neighborhood.
Answer to question 18
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a group or groups that children first begin to develop through their relationships with family and community. Though the concept of ancestry and cultural heritage is too abstract for children at age three, children this age are already aware of the traditions and activities in which their families participate. Connecting cultural activities to ideas and experiences that are familiar to children builds on what they know to establish a foundation for eventually developing a broader understanding of who they are.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a group or groups that children first begin to develop through their relationships with family and community. Though the concept of ancestry and cultural heritage is too abstract for children at age three, children this age are already aware of the traditions and activities in which their families participate. Connecting cultural activities to ideas and experiences that are familiar to children builds on what they know to establish a foundation for eventually developing a broader understanding of who they are.
Question 19
19. A second-grade student enrolls several months after the opening of school in the fall. The teacher quickly recognizes that the student is demonstrating cognitive abilities considerably above grade level across subject areas. Which of the following would be the teacher's best response in this situation?
- differentiating curriculum to match the student's interests and learning profile
- considering how to engage the student as a peer tutor for struggling classmates
- enlisting the student to help the teacher with grading and administrative tasks
- advising the student's parents/guardians that the student should probably skip a grade
Answer to question 19
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) Young children who demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, or giftedness, need to be challenged in the classroom. Because the teacher's primary responsibility in this situation is to ensure that the student's learning needs be met, the teacher should investigate options such as accelerating instruction, adapting curriculum to be appropriately challenging, and ensuring that the student has opportunities to pursue his or her own independent learning interests.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) Young children who demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, or giftedness, need to be challenged in the classroom. Because the teacher's primary responsibility in this situation is to ensure that the student's learning needs be met, the teacher should investigate options such as accelerating instruction, adapting curriculum to be appropriately challenging, and ensuring that the student has opportunities to pursue his or her own independent learning interests.
Question 20
20. Jamie, a child with Down syndrome, will soon join a general education kindergarten class. When doing educational planning for this child, the kindergarten teacher should be aware that the typical developmental profile for children with Down syndrome includes relative strength in which of the following areas?
- visual learning
- generalization of learned skills
- expressive language
- acquisition of number skills
Answer to question 20
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) The typical learning profile of children with Down syndrome includes strength in visual processing and visual memory skills. Jamie's general education teacher should work closely with the special education teacher to determine whether this is the case with Jamie and, depending on Jamie's specific learning profile, to develop instructional strategies that build on the learning strengths Jamie brings to the classroom.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) The typical learning profile of children with Down syndrome includes strength in visual processing and visual memory skills. Jamie's general education teacher should work closely with the special education teacher to determine whether this is the case with Jamie and, depending on Jamie's specific learning profile, to develop instructional strategies that build on the learning strengths Jamie brings to the classroom.
Question 21
21. Which of the following teacher strategies would best help ensure the physical safety of the classroom for a group of toddlers?
- assigning the children to teacher-selected groups each morning to minimize the potential for quarrels or disputes
- cleaning classroom materials and furniture solely with distilled water to minimize the potential for accidental poisoning
- providing the children with only soft play objects, such as plush toys, to minimize chances of injury to oneself or one's classmates
- arranging the classroom space to minimize children's inclination to run or to interact only superficially with toys and materials
Answer to question 21
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) Teachers' arrangement of the classroom environment plays a key role in the children's ability to move through the space safely, as well as in their ability to make safe and productive use of classroom materials. Wide-open spaces tend to encourage dangerous behaviors such as running through the classroom, and such spaces may additionally serve as sources of distraction that prevent children from interacting meaningfully, purposefully, and safely with the materials provided in the various learning centers.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) Teachers' arrangement of the classroom environment plays a key role in the children's ability to move through the space safely, as well as in their ability to make safe and productive use of classroom materials. Wide-open spaces tend to encourage dangerous behaviors such as running through the classroom, and such spaces may additionally serve as sources of distraction that prevent children from interacting meaningfully, purposefully, and safely with the materials provided in the various learning centers.
Question 22
22. Which of the following statements by a third-grade student during a mathematics activity most clearly indicates that the student is developing an internal locus of control?
- "I know I can learn how to solve word problems if I keep trying."
- "I'm going to try this problem just one more time."
- "I think the teacher gave me the hardest word problem of all."
- "I'm not smart enough to figure out problems like these."
Answer to question 22
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0004) Locus of control refers to the belief that individuals have control over events that affect them. A person who has an internal locus of control believes that events result primarily from his or her own behavior or actions. In an educational context, a student with an internal locus of control tends to attribute success (e.g., being able to solve word problems) to internal factors such as persistence and responds to challenging tasks with increased effort.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0004) Locus of control refers to the belief that individuals have control over events that affect them. A person who has an internal locus of control believes that events result primarily from his or her own behavior or actions. In an educational context, a student with an internal locus of control tends to attribute success (e.g., being able to solve word problems) to internal factors such as persistence and responds to challenging tasks with increased effort.
Question 23
23. In a preschool class, the teacher observes that when upset by a peer, some children cry, some become physically aggressive, and others tell peers that they do not like them anymore. The teacher can best provide a foundation for preschoolers to develop healthy interpersonal relationships by adopting which of the following approaches?
- intervening immediately whenever children are in conflict to lead them in finding acceptable solutions
- helping children learn to acknowledge their emotions and express them in constructive ways
- reminding children that no one wants to be around someone who has an angry face or is mean to others
- allowing children to experience the consequences of their own negative behaviors
Answer to question 23
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0004) Children who develop the ability to recognize feelings and build a vocabulary for them are better able to communicate with others about their emotions and express their needs. This capability provides the foundation for successful peer relationships and positive self-esteem. Research shows that children who accurately identify and label emotions tend to be less aggressive, are more accepted by peers, and are generally more socially competent.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0004) Children who develop the ability to recognize feelings and build a vocabulary for them are better able to communicate with others about their emotions and express their needs. This capability provides the foundation for successful peer relationships and positive self-esteem. Research shows that children who accurately identify and label emotions tend to be less aggressive, are more accepted by peers, and are generally more socially competent.
Question 24
24. The teacher of a third-grade class wants to create a learning environment that promotes children's active engagement and intrinsic motivation. Which of the following teacher practices would best support the achievement of this goal?
- praising children publicly when they complete an assignment
- involving children in choosing and evaluating their own activities
- offering frequent assistance as children work on projects
- giving rewards to children who do exceptionally good work
Answer to question 24
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0004) Involving children in choosing their own learning activities has been shown to be an effective motivational tool because when children are given authentic choices, they typically select activities that are personally meaningful, enjoyable, and satisfying. The rewards children receive from such activities are therefore intrinsically rewarding and motivating, and, for that reason, tend to be self-sustaining.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0004) Involving children in choosing their own learning activities has been shown to be an effective motivational tool because when children are given authentic choices, they typically select activities that are personally meaningful, enjoyable, and satisfying. The rewards children receive from such activities are therefore intrinsically rewarding and motivating, and, for that reason, tend to be self-sustaining.
Text For Questions 25, 26, and 27
Use the information below to answer the questions that follow.
A new preschool teacher is considering how to organize the classroom. The room is small with a tile floor and furnishings that include a dozen child-sized desks, several shelves along one wall, and one large table with eight chairs. The class will include 10 to 12 children.
Question 25
25. The teacher can encourage cooperative behaviors among children most effectively by including which of the following elements in the classroom?
- individual cubbies where children can store personal items they do not wish to share
- a game center that includes a selection of board games designed for four or more players
- private spaces where children who are having disagreements can go to resolve their conflicts
- a small-group space that includes a selection of open-ended, noncompetitive activities
Answer to question 25
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) Effective early childhood teachers design learning environments that foster collaborative interactions and minimize competition. Spaces in which small groups of children can interact using open-ended materials (e.g., dress-up clothes, building blocks) encourage children to engage in collaborative activities, such as sociodramatic or collaborative play. During these activities, they can learn and practice cooperative behaviors by participating in positive social interactions, such as jointly creating and revising narratives about their activities.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) Effective early childhood teachers design learning environments that foster collaborative interactions and minimize competition. Spaces in which small groups of children can interact using open-ended materials (e.g., dress-up clothes, building blocks) encourage children to engage in collaborative activities, such as sociodramatic or collaborative play. During these activities, they can learn and practice cooperative behaviors by participating in positive social interactions, such as jointly creating and revising narratives about their activities.
Question 26
26. One of the teacher's first actions is to request that the desks be removed from the classroom. The teacher then secures a large area rug for the center of the room. Compared with individual desks, a separate area where children can sit together on the floor has which of the following advantages?
- helping children feel a greater sense of cohesiveness as a group
- presenting children with fewer distractions during group activities
- providing children with a more aesthetically pleasing environment
- enabling the teacher to manage children's behavior more effectively
Answer to question 26
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) By removing the desks and placing a large rug on the floor, the preschool teacher is creating a comfortable and inviting space that promotes a sense of community. Instead of sitting at individual desks that require them to face away from many of their classmates, the children will be able to sit close to one another in a comfortable, communal space whose sense of cohesiveness is reinforced by the unifying element provided by the rug.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) By removing the desks and placing a large rug on the floor, the preschool teacher is creating a comfortable and inviting space that promotes a sense of community. Instead of sitting at individual desks that require them to face away from many of their classmates, the children will be able to sit close to one another in a comfortable, communal space whose sense of cohesiveness is reinforced by the unifying element provided by the rug.
Question 27
27. The teacher decides to organize the classroom into several learning centers. The learning center approach is particularly appropriate for preschool children primarily because this approach:
- helps children develop the longer attention span necessary for successful learning in the primary grades.
- enhances children's understanding of concepts related to space and time.
- facilitates the teacher's ability to provide experiences that are responsive to variations in children's development.
- enables the teacher to work directly with each child on a daily basis.
Answer to question 27
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) In the typical preschool classroom, children show considerable variation in development, and learning centers can facilitate differentiation for a wide range of developmental levels. For example, a writing center could include paper, writing implements, stationery, envelopes, and a mailbox. Children at earlier developmental levels could draw or scribble-write with crayons, children at more advanced levels could use pencils to write letters to one another, and children at all levels would enjoy using the mailbox to post their creations or messages to each other.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) In the typical preschool classroom, children show considerable variation in development, and learning centers can facilitate differentiation for a wide range of developmental levels. For example, a writing center could include paper, writing implements, stationery, envelopes, and a mailbox. Children at earlier developmental levels could draw or scribble-write with crayons, children at more advanced levels could use pencils to write letters to one another, and children at all levels would enjoy using the mailbox to post their creations or messages to each other.
Question 28
28. A preschool teacher allows children to choose center activities during morning center time. During the last week or two, the teacher has observed that several children move randomly from center to center during this period without fully engaging in any activity. In considering the likely causes of this situation, the teacher should begin by:
- determining whether the daily schedule provides an appropriate balance of independent center time and teacher-guided activities.
- investigating whether distractions in the classroom are preventing the children from concentrating on center activities.
- assessing whether center materials are sufficiently stimulating and appropriate to children's developmental levels.
- asking the children in question to explain why they are having difficulty choosing center time activities.
Answer to question 28
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) In the situation described, it appears that some children have lost interest in the available center activities. Given that children of preschool age are continually growing, learning, and changing, the teacher's first response should be to consider whether these particular children are ready for new materials and greater levels of challenge. Early childhood teachers must always be on the alert to ensure that classroom materials and activities are keeping pace with individual children's growth across the developmental domains.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) In the situation described, it appears that some children have lost interest in the available center activities. Given that children of preschool age are continually growing, learning, and changing, the teacher's first response should be to consider whether these particular children are ready for new materials and greater levels of challenge. Early childhood teachers must always be on the alert to ensure that classroom materials and activities are keeping pace with individual children's growth across the developmental domains.
Question 29
29. In an effort to enhance children's participation in a variety of center activities, a prekindergarten teacher rearranges the learning centers in the room. Which of the following strategies would best allow the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the new arrangement?
- observing for several days how children use center space and materials in the new arrangement
- visiting with children informally during center time to talk about whether they like the new arrangement
- discussing children's feelings about the new center arrangement with them during circle time
- interviewing individual children to learn what they do or do not like about the new center arrangement
Answer to question 29
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) The right balance and arrangement of learning centers encourages children to move from center to center, to experiment, make connections, and mix and match materials. Observation of children's center activities allows the teacher to informally assess several things at once without interrupting children's activities. For example, in a single observation the teacher can examine traffic patterns, note which materials children are or are not using, and identify natural connections between center activities.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) The right balance and arrangement of learning centers encourages children to move from center to center, to experiment, make connections, and mix and match materials. Observation of children's center activities allows the teacher to informally assess several things at once without interrupting children's activities. For example, in a single observation the teacher can examine traffic patterns, note which materials children are or are not using, and identify natural connections between center activities.
Question 30
30. A first-grade teacher establishes and teaches students specific routines for times such as morning arrival, weekly class meetings, and daily silent reading. This practice can be expected to support students' learning and development primarily by:
- helping foster a sense of stability and security.
- encouraging cooperative behaviors.
- creating a climate of mutual respect.
- promoting feelings of personal competency.
Answer to question 30
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) Classroom routines create predictability in the learning environment and help children understand expectations and boundaries. When children know what to expect and how to perform various tasks and responsibilities, they gain confidence and security and tend to be less distracted and anxious. Routines allow children to focus more of their attention on the important task of learning.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) Classroom routines create predictability in the learning environment and help children understand expectations and boundaries. When children know what to expect and how to perform various tasks and responsibilities, they gain confidence and security and tend to be less distracted and anxious. Routines allow children to focus more of their attention on the important task of learning.
Question 31
31. Teachers in a kindergarten class are setting up various interest and activity centers for the upcoming school year. The teachers have designed the centers to foster a number of goals, including creativity, planning, persistence, and problem solving. Which of the following strategies would be most effective in helping to achieve these goals?
- developing center activities that focus on working in small groups
- asking children to use their "quiet voices" when working in centers
- providing ample blocks of uninterrupted time for working in centers
- creating centers that are uniform in terms of size, shape, and furnishings
Answer to question 31
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) Given the kindergarten teachers' goals for the activity centers—fostering creativity, planning, persistence, and problem solving—the teachers will need to ensure that the children are given ample, uninterrupted time to explore the materials by playing with them, combining and recombining them, and trying out a variety of potential uses for them, and so forth.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0005) Given the kindergarten teachers' goals for the activity centers—fostering creativity, planning, persistence, and problem solving—the teachers will need to ensure that the children are given ample, uninterrupted time to explore the materials by playing with them, combining and recombining them, and trying out a variety of potential uses for them, and so forth.
Question 32
32. The teachers of a culturally and linguistically diverse early childhood class want to create a learning environment that promotes all children's development and learning. The teachers could best work toward achieving this objective by reflecting on which of the following questions?
- How can we periodically incorporate the children's various home languages into classroom instruction?
- Does the classroom include generic items and decorations likely to be universally appealing to all children?
- How can we best prompt children to engage with other children who share their cultural backgrounds?
- Does the classroom include a wide range of materials and activities familiar and relevant to every child?
Answer to question 32
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0005) The teachers of ECE classrooms must ensure that every child feels comfortable and at home in a classroom environment that is reflective of the child's own background and life experiences. ECE teachers must therefore engage in ongoing communication and collaboration with every family to create an environment that fulfills this need.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0005) The teachers of ECE classrooms must ensure that every child feels comfortable and at home in a classroom environment that is reflective of the child's own background and life experiences. ECE teachers must therefore engage in ongoing communication and collaboration with every family to create an environment that fulfills this need.
Question 33
33. A third-grade teacher regularly engages students in large-group discussions of instructional topics. The teacher is aware that students at this age are just beginning to learn and apply group discussion skills. The teacher can most effectively enhance students' learning from the discussion format by utilizing which of the following strategies?
- making a point of calling on every student at least once during the discussion
- providing students with a brief content review before the discussion
- reminding students regularly to relate their comments to the discussion topic
- summarizing and clarifying students' contributions throughout the discussion
Answer to question 33
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0006) Helping third-grade students learn to conduct effective discussions requires that the teacher provide active support both to the individual student who is speaking and to the students who are listening to their classmates. Summarizing and clarifying individual students' statements during the discussion will enable the teacher not only to ensure that he or she clearly understands what the speaker means, but will also allow the teacher to provide clarification of the speaker's statement for any student listeners who may not understand what the speaker is trying to say.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0006) Helping third-grade students learn to conduct effective discussions requires that the teacher provide active support both to the individual student who is speaking and to the students who are listening to their classmates. Summarizing and clarifying individual students' statements during the discussion will enable the teacher not only to ensure that he or she clearly understands what the speaker means, but will also allow the teacher to provide clarification of the speaker's statement for any student listeners who may not understand what the speaker is trying to say.
Question 34
34. Which of the following strategies would best facilitate a teacher's ability to communicate effectively with a preschool child?
- maintaining continuous physical contact with the child
- repeating the child's name at the start of each sentence
- kneeling down to the child's eye level while speaking
- speaking each word to the child very slowly and distinctly
Answer to question 34
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0006) Young children spend much of their time looking up at adults, which can be overwhelming and intimidating. Kneeling down to the child's eye level helps reduce the intimidation factor and communicates respectful regard for the child. This posture helps focus both the teacher's and the child's attention on what is being communicated, allowing the teacher to assess the child's understanding of the message and the child to see the teacher's facial expressions more clearly.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0006) Young children spend much of their time looking up at adults, which can be overwhelming and intimidating. Kneeling down to the child's eye level helps reduce the intimidation factor and communicates respectful regard for the child. This posture helps focus both the teacher's and the child's attention on what is being communicated, allowing the teacher to assess the child's understanding of the message and the child to see the teacher's facial expressions more clearly.
Question 35
35. A kindergarten teacher wants to have students use digital cameras to take their own photographs for individual alphabet books. Which of the following actions by the teacher would best ensure that students are able to use the cameras effectively for this purpose?
- checking the quality of students' photographs periodically during the project and changing camera settings as needed
- inviting a professional photographer to visit the class and answer students' questions about using the cameras
- preparing a sample book created with one of the cameras and showing it to students when introducing the project
- providing orientation sessions for small groups of students and giving them time to practice with the cameras before beginning the project
Answer to question 35
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0006) Because digital cameras are relatively small, the teacher can communicate the basics of their operation most effectively by working with students in small groups. This allows students see up close the various features of the camera (e.g., lens, eyepiece, shutter button), making the teacher's verbal explanations more understandable. With a small group, the teacher can also provide immediate feedback as students experiment and refine their technique.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0006) Because digital cameras are relatively small, the teacher can communicate the basics of their operation most effectively by working with students in small groups. This allows students see up close the various features of the camera (e.g., lens, eyepiece, shutter button), making the teacher's verbal explanations more understandable. With a small group, the teacher can also provide immediate feedback as students experiment and refine their technique.
Question 36
36. A second-grade teacher is presenting a mathematics lesson involving addition and subtraction word problems. Although the teacher has explained the process using three sample word problems and students have the necessary computation skills, they are struggling to understand. Which of the following strategies would most effectively enhance students' understanding of how to solve the word problems?
- writing each word problem on the board with the equation beside it
- using simple drawings or tallies to illustrate the sample word problems
- continuing to restate the steps for solving word problems
- having students take turns reading word problems aloud to the class
Answer to question 36
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0006) The use of drawings, tallies, and other graphic representations during instruction helps students visualize concepts. Such representations help students identify and focus on relevant information and support comprehension for students with diverse learning needs (e.g., visual learners, students with disabilities, English language learners).
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0006) The use of drawings, tallies, and other graphic representations during instruction helps students visualize concepts. Such representations help students identify and focus on relevant information and support comprehension for students with diverse learning needs (e.g., visual learners, students with disabilities, English language learners).
Question 37
37. A new first-grade teacher in a culturally diverse classroom regularly reads aloud to students. While the teacher is reading, a few students interject comments in the middle of a sentence or paragraph. Other students immediately look down if the teacher speaks to them directly about the story. Which of the following statements provides the most likely explanation for these different behaviors when the teacher is reading?
- Communication norms that students have learned often vary depending on their background.
- The teacher has not adequately communicated the expected level of participation for this activity.
- Each reading selection prompts a range of individual responses.
- Students have differing levels of engagement in group activities.
Answer to question 37
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Teachers must be sensitive to the fact that children learn the communication norms of the culture within which they are raised. For example, some families teach children that it is rude to look their teachers (or other authority figures) directly in the eye, while others may consider it perfectly acceptable for children to interject a comment or question when an adult is reading a story. Effective communication with all children requires an understanding of attitudes and social behaviors learned in the home.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Teachers must be sensitive to the fact that children learn the communication norms of the culture within which they are raised. For example, some families teach children that it is rude to look their teachers (or other authority figures) directly in the eye, while others may consider it perfectly acceptable for children to interject a comment or question when an adult is reading a story. Effective communication with all children requires an understanding of attitudes and social behaviors learned in the home.
Question 38
38. When providing feedback to students on writing tasks, teachers can minimize negative effects on students' motivation most effectively by using which of the following strategies?
- identifying strengths in students' writing before addressing needed improvements
- emphasizing to students the role of persistence in improving writing skills
- using high-quality written work created by peers to help students set goals for improvement
- reviewing with students the specific writing skills they will be working on next
Answer to question 38
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Teachers who provide students with positive feedback about work done well build students' sense of pride in their work, motivation to work hard, and confidence in their ability to succeed. When teachers begin a critique with positive feedback, students are much more likely to be receptive to feedback regarding areas in need of improvement.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Teachers who provide students with positive feedback about work done well build students' sense of pride in their work, motivation to work hard, and confidence in their ability to succeed. When teachers begin a critique with positive feedback, students are much more likely to be receptive to feedback regarding areas in need of improvement.
Question 39
39. A three-year-old child who has just finished painting a picture asks her teacher to "Come look!" Which of the following responses by the teacher to the painting would best support the child's self-expression?
- "I love your colorful picture! It makes me think of a big, beautiful garden."
- "I think we should hang your picture on the wall. Where should we hang it?"
- "You used so many different colors in your picture. Can you tell me about it?"
- "What a beautiful picture you've made. I think it's the best one you've painted so far!"
Answer to question 39
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0006) When responding to young children's artistic creations, teachers must take care not to impose their own judgments or interpretations of the works. Even making complimentary statements (e.g., "Oh, that's beautiful!" or "I love your picture!") can have the unintended effect of prompting young children to begin seeking adults' praise for their works rather than to continue their unselfconscious explorations of color, texture, gesture, and media. Neutral observations such as "You used so many different colors in your picture. Can you tell me about it?" are generally considered appropriate because they make no judgment and keep the focus on the child's work rather than on the adult's reaction.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0006) When responding to young children's artistic creations, teachers must take care not to impose their own judgments or interpretations of the works. Even making complimentary statements (e.g., "Oh, that's beautiful!" or "I love your picture!") can have the unintended effect of prompting young children to begin seeking adults' praise for their works rather than to continue their unselfconscious explorations of color, texture, gesture, and media. Neutral observations such as "You used so many different colors in your picture. Can you tell me about it?" are generally considered appropriate because they make no judgment and keep the focus on the child's work rather than on the adult's reaction.
Question 40
40. To promote children's skills in oral expression, a second-grade teacher regularly plans lessons that include discussions in groups of various sizes. While some children speak fluently in a variety of large- and small-group contexts, others respond infrequently and seem anxious about participating. Which of the following strategies would likely be most helpful in encouraging reluctant speakers to participate in group discussions?
- including questions that require simple, one-word responses
- suggesting words that the child might want to include in his or her response
- offering rewards to children who volunteer to speak
- asking another child to help the reluctant speaker give an answer
Answer to question 40
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Young children sometimes find it easier to speak up in group contexts if they can limit their response to a word or two. Being asked a question that requires a simple "yes" or "no" answer may feel less difficult or intimidating than a question that requires a lengthier response.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0006) Young children sometimes find it easier to speak up in group contexts if they can limit their response to a word or two. Being asked a question that requires a simple "yes" or "no" answer may feel less difficult or intimidating than a question that requires a lengthier response.