Question 1

Humans seek reasons, causes, and underlying principles to explain the world around them. The research term for this tendency is _____.

Accepted Answer

The tendency of humans to seek reasons, causes, and underlying principles to explain the world around them is known as theory-theory.

Question 2

Which skill is known as one-to-one correspondence?

Accepted Answer

One-to-one correspondence is the ability to match each object in a set with one and only one number name or symbol. This is an essential skill for counting objects, which is option B.

Question 3

Which kind of educational technology produced higher math scores?

Accepted Answer

Apps that require parents and children to discuss math together have been shown to produce higher math scores because they promote deeper learning, comprehension, and communication skills. This type of educational technology also helps children develop their problem-solving skills and strengthens their relationships with their parents or caregivers.

Question 4

According to Vygotsky, a teacher who carefully plans each child's participation in the learning process within the zone of proximal development uses _____.

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky's theory emphasizes the importance of scaffolding, which is the process of providing structured support as a child learns a new task or skill. Effective teachers who plan each child's participation in the learning process and help them achieve their individual goals operate within the zone of proximal development, where students are able to accomplish tasks with guidance and support. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of scaffolding?

Accepted Answer

Option D is an example of scaffolding as Miriam is providing support to her son by measuring the ingredients and breaking down the steps of the recipe, but ultimately allowing him to mix the ingredients together. The other options involve varying levels of guidance and support, but do not necessarily fit the definition of scaffolding.

Question 6

One of Vygotsky's most famous concepts was the zone of proximal development, which asserts that _____.

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky's zone of proximal development states that children can master some tasks with the help of others, meaning that they can accomplish more than what they could on their own, but may not be able to achieve certain tasks without assistance.

Question 7

Juan is Mexican American, and Hui is Chinese American. The parents of both of these preschool boys have been reading books to them and making comments about the characters that are consistent with their own culture. Which values have the parents been teaching their sons?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Juan is Mexican American, and Hui is...

Question 8

A few days ago, Hester's parents disciplined her because she refused to eat her green beans. Today when her parents announced that they were going to get a divorce, Hester cried, "Is it because I was bad? I'll be good!" Hester's conclusion that her failure to eat her green beans is the reason her parents are getting divorced displays Hester's _____.

Accepted Answer

Hester's belief that her actions (not eating green beans) could cause her parents' divorce reflects a theory-theory approach, where children construct theories about the world to make sense of events, even though these theories may not be accurate.

Question 9

The ability to plan, remember, inhibit some impulses, and perform others is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

The ability to plan, remember, inhibit some impulses, and perform others is known as executive function. Scaffolding, overimitation, and guided participation are all related to the process of learning and development, but do not specifically refer to the cognitive ability described in the question.

Question 10

At what age do most children develop theory of mind?

Accepted Answer

Most children develop theory of mind around 4 years of age. This is when they start to understand that other people have thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives different from their own.

Question 11

A person's understanding of the thoughts of other people is called _____.

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe a person's understanding of the thoughts and beliefs of other people is theory of mind. Intuitive psychology refers to people's everyday beliefs about human behavior, psychological schemata refers to cognitive structures or frameworks that help people organize and interpret information about the world, and self-schemes are cognitive structures that help people organize their beliefs about themselves.

Question 12

Which preschool factor is a better predictor of later learning in kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

Executive function, which includes skills like self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, has been found to be a better predictor of academic success in later years compared to factors like age or language ability. Children who have stronger executive functioning skills are better able to focus attention, control impulses, follow directions, and persist in problem-solving tasks, which are all important for success in kindergarten and beyond. Guided participation, where adults scaffold learning and provide support, can enhance executive function development in young children.

Question 13

What role does language play in guided participation?

Accepted Answer

Guided participation involves a more knowledgeable individual facilitating interactions and learning opportunities for a less knowledgeable individual. Language serves a crucial role in this process by mediating the social interaction between the two individuals. Through the use of language, the more knowledgeable individual can scaffold the learning experience of the less knowledgeable individual and provide feedback, explanations, and guidance. Therefore, language is vital for effective guided participation.

Question 14

According to Vygotsky, which capability is demonstrated when young children imitate adult actions that are irrelevant, time-consuming, and inefficient?

Accepted Answer

Overimitation is the capability demonstrated when young children imitate adult actions that are irrelevant, time-consuming, and inefficient. Vygotsky believed that this behavior allows for the transmission of cultural practices and values from one generation to the next.

Question 15

Benjy is a preschooler. He can put a dish into the microwave and press the "2" button to cook for two minutes. One day he sees his mother wipe the front of the microwave with a damp paper towel before she presses a number button. After that, Benjy rubs the front of the microwave with a napkin before he presses the number button. Why?

Accepted Answer

Benjy is overimitating his mom by rubbing the front of the microwave with a napkin. He is copying her behavior without fully understanding its purpose, which is a common trait of preschoolers.

Question 16

Preschoolers try to construct a reason for the things that they see and hear. This tendency is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

The tendency of preschoolers to construct a reason for the things that they see and hear is known as theory-theory. They try to develop a coherent framework of understanding that can explain everyday occurrences. Reversibility and logical reasoning are cognitive abilities that develop later in childhood, while focus on appearance is a cognitive deficit that preschoolers often demonstrate.

Question 17

Sydney helps her 2-year-old daughter to make hot chocolate. She helps the child to measure teaspoons of cocoa into a cup, add water, stir the contents, and then microwave the cup. Sydney is providing _____.

Accepted Answer

Sydney is providing scaffolding, which is the support and guidance given to a child to help them develop a skill or complete a task they couldn't do on their own.

Question 18

What did Vygotsky say about preschoolers' use of private speech?

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky believed that preschoolers' use of private speech aids their cognition and self-reflection.

Question 19

Aaliyah lies in her bed at night, talking out loud. Her parents listen from the hallway and hear her talking about her day as if she's talking to another person. What should her parents conclude about Aaliyah's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Aaliyah is likely engaging in private speech, which is a normal part of development. Children often use self-talk to organize their thoughts and regulate their emotions. It is not a sign of abnormal development or indicative of bullying at school.

Question 20

According to theory-theory, why do children imitate irrelevant adult behaviors?

Accepted Answer

According to theory-theory, children imitate irrelevant adult behaviors because they theorize that the irrelevant behavior must be important, even if they cannot see an apparent reason for it. They assume that adults are demonstrating a meaningful behavior that they will need to understand in the future.

Quiz 9: Early Childhood: Cognitive Development