Deck 1: Exploring the Foundations of Play

Question 1

Some early learning practitioners believe that understanding play helps to:

A) Guide and anchor programming
B) Assess children's behaviours
C) Determine the program schedule
D) Choose appropriate software packages for the children's computer

Answer 1

Guide and anchor programming

Question 2

The origin of the word play is thought to be derived from:

A) A theatrical production by William Shakespeare
B) A group of monkeys seen frolicking in the jungle
C) The word pleien which means to dance, leap for joy, and rejoice
D) An ancient Roman game

Answer 2

The word pleien which means to dance, leap for joy, and rejoice

Question 3

In order for an activity to be considered play, the experience must include:

A) An abundance of commercial materials
B) Opportunities for children to combine areas of knowledge with new information to create their own
C) Experiences with older children and adults
D) Opportunities to repeat the play for several days.

Answer 3

Opportunities for children to combine areas of knowledge with new information to create their own

Question 4

The amount of time and attention invested in child's play is influenced by a child's:

A) Desire to do school work
B) Exposure to brand name toys
C) Culture and environment
D) Siblings

Question 5

When children from different cultures come to early learning places, practitioners:

A) Separate children by ethnicity to keep them isolated from others
B) Require all children to abide by the cultural standards of the majority of children in the early learning centre
C) Remove materials that may remind children of their homeland until they adjust to the new environment
D) Examine the cultural attributes that children bring to the environment and determine how to best support each child.

Question 6

Early learning practitioners use information gained from observing and listening to children during play to:

A) Determine how to assess children's behaviour
B) Increase the program staffing complement during busy times
C) Recruit other children and families
D) Gain insight into a child's cultural, family, and community celebrations and traditions

Question 7

Children between the ages of 4 to 5 years of age exhibit which characteristic in their evolution as a child consumer?

A) Can reach for items on a shelf
B) Have acquired the verbal skills to express "wants"
C) Begin to express desire for brand names
D) Make independent purchases

Question 8

Statistically children in low-income families suffer:

A) A higher rate of accidents during play
B) A greater risk of living in poverty than other children in Canada
C) Are more resilient than other children living in Canada
D) Have a higher level of curiosity, creativity, and independence

Question 9

The Canadian Pediatric Society indicates their concern about the marketing of toys is the:

A) Quality of the ads
B) Exaggeration of the products
C) Availability of the products
D) Popularity of the ads

Question 10

The Canadian Institute of Child Health (2008) indicates that principles of brain development include the:

A) Brain operates on a "use it or lose it" principle
B) Need for at least two hours of outdoor play per day
C) Importance of regular physical activity
D) Need for children to have problem solving experiences daily

Question 11

What is the name given to the development of the neural circuits, which align with a child's brain?

A) Synopsis
B) Sympatico
C) Synapses
D) Synergy

Question 12

Early learning practitioners recognize the need to introduce new materials to children when the children:

A) Bring new toys that are on the market to the setting
B) Request to have their favourite toys available
C) Exhibit signs that their interests in materials is beginning to wane
D) When children are engaged in circle time

Question 13

Brain development theories occur in a child through:

A) "Use it or lose it" principle
B) The child's environment
C) Relationships with others
D) All the above

Question 14

When children stop playing with materials, use the materials in a repetitive way, or play only in particular experience centres, early learning practitioners can take a cue that there is a need to:

A) Question the children about why they are doing what they are doing
B) Allow the children to continue playing so that the flow of their play and or their natural reactions to the learning environment is not disturbed
C) Redirect children to specified experience centres such as the craft table
D) Examine the children's interests and add new play options that are reflective of the children's expressed interests

Question 15

Classical theories are those that were prevalent:

A) In the nineteenth century through to World War I
B) In Shakespearean England
C) In France prior to the revolution
D) In the twentieth century after World War I

Question 16

Early learning practitioners applying John Dewey's theories to practice would:

A) Give children the freedom to take an active role in their play
B) Determine what the children's play experiences will be
C) Provide children with ample toys that are current and popular
D) Use flash cards, worksheets and pre-cut shapes daily with the children

Question 17

Which theorist is thought to promote child's play to have more of a focus on adult-child interactions and less on child-initiated exploration?

A) Steiner
B) Montessori
C) Maslow
D) Gardner

Question 18

Which of the following intelligences appear in Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences:

A) Digital
B) Bodily-kinesthetic
C) Memorizing
D) Facebook

Question 19

The theory of documenting children's learning, reviewing it, and using it to provide direction for the next phase of play and learning experiences describes the work of which theorist?

A) Montessori
B) Froebel
C) Malaguzzi
D) Erikson

Question 20

Some of the common themes amongst classical, modern, and contemporary perspectives on play include the:

A) Important role of technology in children's play
B) Importance of understanding that all children have the same needs in their play
C) Perspective that play is a natural way for children to learn
D) Position that all children need exposure to more guided experiences

Question 21

When examining theoretical frameworks, early learning practitioners should:

A) Pick their favourite theorist
B) Adopt an inclusive approach
C) Focus only on contemporary theorists
D) Accept theories without question

Question 22

Early cognitive neuroscience research shows that intervention changes the brain and changes behaviour. According to researchers this is known as:

A) Development
B) Process
C) Plastic
D) Forming

Question 23

The CAYC has numerous positive statements on play for young children and school-age children, excluding the believe that:

A) Play is nonjudgmental
B) Play is posing questions and hypothesizing
C) Play is multisensory, self-directed, and self-selected
D) Play is endless but limited in possibilities

Question 24

School-age children are developing social values and attitudes. They require their play experiences to have:

A) An opportunity to know the right answers to questions being asked by their play partners
B) A set environment that does not change
C) Time limits placed on their play experience so that they can maintain control
D) Opportunities to negotiate rules and solve problems while participating in cooperative experiences

Question 25

Observing children's play is one of the most important roles and responsibilities of early learning practitioners.

Question 26

Using flash cards with children is not considered play.

Question 27

Gotay indicates that between the period of 2003 and 2011, obesity rates in Canada decreased from 25.3 to 22.3 percent.

Question 28

Outdoor play is where children gain an overall control of their bodies.

Question 29

All Canadian parental perspectives view child's play the same.

Question 30

Cultural norms are behavioural patterns or beliefs that are common among specific groups of people.

Question 31

By observing and listening to children during dramatic play, early learning practitioners gain insight into diversity and children's cultures.

Question 32

There are differing opinions about children's exposure to technology during play.

Question 33

Child's play is unlikely to be effected by socio-economic hardships such as poverty.

Question 34

Children living in poverty and children living in affluent environments have an equal rate of accidents during their play.

Question 35

Brain development is unlikely to be influenced by play.

Question 36

For a child to acquire optimal brain development, life experiences that include good nutrition, travel, plenty of store bought toys and a stimulating environment are essential.

Question 37

The CAYC believes that expensive toys are less important than natural materials and authentic items.

Question 38

Describe the importance of early learning practitioners developing observation skills.

Question 39

What is the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to early learning practitioners and children in their care?

Question 40

Describe the differences between child's work and child's play. Why do some argue that children's play is their work?

Question 41

How might early learning practitioners support a child who is economically disadvantaged in acquiring opportunities for play?

Question 42

Imagine you are working with a group of 3 year old children who are fascinated with brand name toys. They consistently express many "I want … I need" statements. How do you respond to this in the materials, toys, and resources that you provide the children in their learning environment?