Question 1

Which of the following statements about brain development and early childhood is true?
A) The development that occurs inside the brain ends at the onset of adolescence.
B) By the time a child is 3 years of age, the brain is 25 percent of its adult size.
C) By age 6, the brain has reached about 95 percent of its adult size.
D) The brain of a five-year-old is 60 percent the size of an adult brain.

Accepted Answer

The brain of a six-year-old has reached about 95 percent of its adult size. While some brain development does occur during adolescence, the majority of structural development occurs in the first few years of life. By age 3, the brain is about 80 percent of its adult size, and by age 5, it is about 90 percent of its adult size. Therefore, option A and D are incorrect, and option B might confuse one as it mentions 3 years of age, while the brain reaches 90 percent of its adult size at the age of 5.

Question 2

Toby is three years old. His parents are concerned because he always runs and jumps around. He cannot sit still. Even when watching his favorite cartoon on TV, he fidgets and wiggles. It is especially frustrating for his parents when Toby does not sit still through dinner. Which of the following should Toby's parents do?
A) They should have him tested for attention deficit disorder.
B) They should enroll him in a behavior modification program.
C) They should provide structured and cognitively challenging activities for Toby to develop his attention span.
D) They should avoid panicking as Toby's behavior is normal for kids in his age group.

Accepted Answer

Toby's behavior is normal for his age group, so his parents should avoid panicking. Children at this age have a lot of energy and can find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time. It is important for parents to provide opportunities for physical activity and play, while also setting realistic expectations for behavior during structured activities like dinner. Testing for attention deficit disorder or enrolling in a behavior modification program may be premature at this stage.

Question 3

Debra is a very active child. She loves to tumble and show off. She always tries, what her parents consider, hair-raising stunts. She also loves running and believes she can run faster than her parents. This type of activity level and confidence is most characteristic of
A) 1-year-olds.
B) 2-year-olds.
C) 3-year-olds.
D) 4-year-olds.

Accepted Answer

This behavior is most characteristic of 4-year-olds, who are known for their increased physical abilities, confidence, and desire to try new and challenging physical activities. They often have a high energy level and enjoy showing off their skills.

Question 4

Researchers have found that in children from 3 to 6 years of age the most rapid growth takes place in the ________ lobe areas of the brain.
A) temporal
B) parietal
C) frontal
D) occipital

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobes of the brain are responsible for many important cognitive functions, including attention, working memory, decision-making, and social behavior. Studies have shown that significant growth and development take place in these areas during early childhood, particularly between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. This period of rapid growth and development is crucial for building the cognitive and behavioral foundations that will support academic and social success later in life.

Question 5

________ involves an increase in the speed and efficiency of information traveling through the nervous system during brain development in children between the ages of 3 and 5.
A) Centration
B) Myelination
C) Tropism
D) Neurogenesis

Accepted Answer

Myelination is the process by which the nerve fibers are surrounded and insulated by a fatty sheath called myelin, which increases the speed and efficiency of information traveling through the nervous system. This process occurs primarily during brain development in children between the ages of 3 and 5. Centration refers to the focus on only one aspect of a situation, while tropism refers to the growth and turning of organisms in response to a stimulus. Neurogenesis refers to the formation of new neurons in the brain.

Question 6

When 4- and 5-year-olds scramble over jungle gyms and race their friends, they demonstrate their
A) cognitive skills.
B) fine harboring skills.
C) gross motor skills.
D) reflective skills.

Accepted Answer

Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscles and movements, such as running, jumping, and climbing. Scrambling over jungle gyms and racing friends require gross motor skills, which are essential for physical development in children. Cognitive skills involve thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, while fine motor skills involve the use of small muscles for tasks such as writing or drawing. Reflective skills involve reflecting on one's actions and learning from them.

Question 7

Scientists have discovered that there ________ the brains of children in the 3- to 15-year age range.
A) are dramatic changes in local patterns within
B) are phenomenal increases in the overall size of
C) are insignificant anatomical changes in
D) are hardly any internal metamorphisms within

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that "there are dramatic changes," which aligns with choice A. Choices B and C are too extreme and contradict the word "dramatic," and choice D contradicts the sentence's statement of changes occurring.

Question 8

What are the two most important contributors to height differences among children all over the world?
A) nationality and culture
B) education and exercise
C) prenatal care and emotional challenges
D) ethnic origin and nutrition

Accepted Answer

Ethnic origin and nutrition are the two most important contributors to height differences among children all over the world. Ethnicity plays a role in determining height potential, while nutrition during childhood can either promote or hinder proper growth and development.

Question 9

A review of the height and weight of children around the world concluded that there are
A) congenital differences.
B) ethnic differences among them.
C) no visible differences.
D) cases of hyperthyroidism.

Accepted Answer

Ethnic differences have a significant impact on the height and weight of children, as genetic factors play a role in determining these characteristics. Studies have shown that children from different ethnic backgrounds have varying average heights and weights. Congenital differences may also play a role, but this is not the main factor. There is no evidence to suggest that there are no visible differences or cases of hyperthyroidism among children around the world.

Question 10

Sandra is informed by a pediatrician that her four-year-old son, Manuel, has gained six pounds over the last one year. Sandra should
A) be alarmed because Manuel has gained a lot of weight.
B) be concerned because Manuel has gained less weight.
C) be positive and change Manuel's diet.
D) be content that this is normal for Manuel's age.

Accepted Answer

Gaining about 4.5 to 6.5 pounds a year is normal for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Therefore, Manuel's weight gain is within the expected range for his age, indicating healthy growth.

Question 11

Who among the following five-year-olds is most likely to be the tallest?
A) Timothy who is a White, urban, middle-socioeconomic-status, later-born boy
B) Tina who is a White, urban, middle-socioeconomic-status, firstborn girl
C) Tyrone who is an African American, urban, middle-socioeconomic-status, firstborn boy.
D) Tucker who is an African American, rural, lower-socioeconomic-status, later-born boy.

Accepted Answer

Firstborn children often receive better nutrition and healthcare, which can contribute to growth. Additionally, African American children, on average, tend to be taller at this age compared to their White counterparts. Urban and middle-socioeconomic-status environments also typically provide better access to nutrition and healthcare, which are critical for growth, but these factors are the same across options A, B, and C, making the distinction between firstborn status and ethnicity more significant in this context.

Question 12

Identify a characteristic of autobiographical memory.
A) It pertains to information acquired during adolescence rather than childhood.
B) It allows people to do routine work without requiring conscious thought.
C) It involves memory of significant events and experiences in one's life.
D) It refers to information that is retained for up to 30 seconds if it is not rehearsed.

Accepted Answer

Autobiographical memory specifically pertains to memories of events and experiences in one's own life, and is often emotionally significant or personally relevant. Options A, B, and D do not accurately describe this characteristic of autobiographical memory.

Question 13

Irene is a 3-year-old girl. Her father takes her to a nearby park in the evening. In the context of the development of gross motor skills in children her age, identify an activity that Irene is mostly likely to do at the park.
A) She will hop and jump just for the sheer delight of performing these activities.
B) She will scramble over low jungle gyms to display her athletic prowess.
C) She will perform hair-raising stunts on all climbing objects.
D) She will run hard and enjoy races with her father and other children.

Accepted Answer

At 3 years old, children typically enjoy hopping and jumping as part of their gross motor skill development, which aligns with choice A.

Question 14

________ is a process by which the nerve cells are covered and insulated with a layer of fat cells.
A) Centration
B) Myelination
C) Tropism
D) Neurogenesis

Accepted Answer

Myelination is the process by which nerve cells are covered and insulated with a layer of fat cells. This layer helps to increase the speed and efficiency of neural communication. Centralization refers to the tendency for young children to only focus on one aspect of an object or situation at a time. Tropism refers to the growth or movement of a plant or organism in response to an external stimulus, such as light or gravity. Neurogenesis is the process of generating new neurons in the brain.

Question 15

By the end of early childhood, girls have more ________ tissue than boys.
A) fatty
B) muscle
C) epithelial
D) nervous

Accepted Answer

It is well established that girls tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than boys, especially in early childhood. This is due to differences in hormonal and metabolic processes between the sexes.

Question 16

During early childhood, girls are ________ than boys.
A) much lighter
B) more muscular
C) slightly smaller
D) considerably taller

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that on average, girls during early childhood are slightly smaller in size than boys. While there may be individual variations, this trend is consistent.

Question 17

The absence or deficiency of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the body to grow is called
A) pituitarian deficiency.
B) growth hormone deficiency.
C) perceptual development deficiency.
D) glandular deficiency.

Accepted Answer

The absence or deficiency of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland is called growth hormone deficiency. It is a condition that primarily affects children, causing them to have slow or stunted growth.

Question 18

Fred and Wayne are 4-year-olds. When they are together, they often wrestle, run, race, push, and shove each other. Although their activities often aggravate their parents, these activities will
A) help the boys develop their gross motor skills.
B) stop when their brains become better myelinated.
C) be temporary as they will not be friends for long.
D) help the boys overcome narcolepsy.

Accepted Answer

Wrestling, running, racing, pushing, and shoving help develop gross motor skills, which are important for physical development and coordination. The other choices are not relevant or accurate.

Question 19

The Reggio Emilia approach is a(n)
A) nutrition program for young children.
B) educational program for young children.
C) program for training kindergarten and elementary school teachers.
D) parenting education program.

Accepted Answer

The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational program for young children.

Question 20

According to Harris, Golinkoff, and Hirsh-Pasek (2011), which of the following is a key principle in young children's vocabulary development?
A) Children learn words best when grammar and vocabulary are given less emphasis.
B) Children learn the words they hear most often when interacting with their parents, teachers, siblings, and peers.
C) Children learn words more effectively when they are passive, rather than active, learners.
D) Children learn new words more effectively when new words are encountered as isolated facts rather than in integrated contexts.

Accepted Answer

According to Harris, Golinkoff, and Hirsh-Pasek (2011), the key principle in young children's vocabulary development is that children learn the words they hear most often when interacting with their parents, teachers, siblings, and peers. This is because children learn language through social interactions with others and the frequency of exposure to words is a strong predictor of vocabulary growth.

Quiz 7: Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood

Which of the following statements about brain development and early childhood is true?

Debra is a very active child. She loves to tumble and show off. She always tries, what her parents consider, hair-raising stunts. She also loves running and believes she can run faster than her parents. This type of activity level and confidence is most characteristic of

Researchers have found that in children from 3 to 6 years of age the most rapid growth takes place in the ________ lobe areas of the brain.

________ involves an increase in the speed and efficiency of information traveling through the nervous system during brain development in children between the ages of 3 and 5.

When 4- and 5-year-olds scramble over jungle gyms and race their friends, they demonstrate their

Scientists have discovered that there ________ the brains of children in the 3- to 15-year age range.

What are the two most important contributors to height differences among children all over the world?

A review of the height and weight of children around the world concluded that there are

Sandra is informed by a pediatrician that her four-year-old son, Manuel, has gained six pounds over the last one year. Sandra should

Who among the following five-year-olds is most likely to be the tallest?

Identify a characteristic of autobiographical memory.

Irene is a 3-year-old girl. Her father takes her to a nearby park in the evening. In the context of the development of gross motor skills in children her age, identify an activity that Irene is mostly likely to do at the park.

________ is a process by which the nerve cells are covered and insulated with a layer of fat cells.

By the end of early childhood, girls have more ________ tissue than boys.

During early childhood, girls are ________ than boys.

The absence or deficiency of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the body to grow is called

Fred and Wayne are 4-year-olds. When they are together, they often wrestle, run, race, push, and shove each other. Although their activities often aggravate their parents, these activities will

The Reggio Emilia approach is a(n)

According to Harris, Golinkoff, and Hirsh-Pasek (2011) , which of the following is a key principle in young children's vocabulary development?