Q&A Hero

Q: Creative art activities should include teacher-designed step by step instructions.

Q: The NAEYC guidelines for involving family's calls for establishing reciprocal relationships with families. What is the most significant implication of such relationships? a. Schedules for parent conferences are made available to parents well in advance. b. More opportunities for teachers and families to share responsibility and decision making about children's education. c. More chances for parents to donate materials to the classroom. d. Quicker information provided to families about children's conflicts at school.

Q: The best time for teachers to schedule outside time is: a. As soon as children arrive. b. Immediately after morning snack or breakfast. c. After learning center time, right before lunch. d. There is no "best time" for outside time; it depends on the needs of the children, staff availability, and access to common spaces.

Q: What kind of content could be included in a classroom level newsletter and why would that type of content be important to share?

Q: Under what circumstances should teachers consciously consider the cultural appropriateness of activities? a. In a group of children composed of children from different races. b. In a group of children composed of children from different economic circumstances. c. In any group of children, regardless of group composition. d. In a group of children where some children have special needs

Q: Which of the following is the most suitable theme for preschool age children? a. Predicting the weather b. Electricity c. Plants in the classroom d. Gravity

Q: Why should the teacher take the time to send home a one or two line note about the child's successes?

Q: What children benefit from Developmentally Appropriate Programs? a. White middle class children benefit from DAP, but poor children of color do not because they need more control from the adults. b. Children who have special needs may have their social needs met in a DAP classroom but don"t learn what they need to learn there. c. Girls from poor families tend to do much better than boys do because boys are so active they don"t pay attention. d. DAP is applicable broadly for males and females, for advantaged and impoverished children, for the talented and gifted as well as children having special needs.

Q: A common mistake new teachers make is to fail to allow time in the daily schedule for transitions between activities.

Q: What characteristics of parent involvement can be varied?

Q: Which of the following elements do NOT characterize developmentally appropriate practice? a. Expecting children to learn most things through listening. b. Giving children choices about what and how they learn. c. Relying on play as a primary means for learning. d. Establishing partnerships with parents.

Q: To achieve maximum efficiency and to make sure to secure the props they need, teachers should plan a year of themes in advance.

Q: If a large proportion of family members want to be involved in their youngster's education, why is family engagement still a problem?

Q: Which of the following is NOT a research finding associated with developmentally appropriate practice? a. Children's creativity is enhanced. b. Children's problem-solving skills improve. c. Children demonstrate increased attachment to parents and grandparents. d. Children's reading skills improve.

Q: Projects should last about one week each.

Q: Explain what family-teacher partnership or collaboration means.

Q: The gift of time is most associated with which early childhood philosophy? a. A maturational perspective b. A mental health perspective c. A behavioral perspective d. A constructionist perspective

Q: Hands-on-activities and firsthand experiences mean the same thing.

Q: Which of the following agencies or standard setting organizations do NOT require family engagement? a. Head Start Performance Standards b. NAEYC accreditation c. The Common Core Standards d. DOD (Dept. of Defense) Military Child Care

Q: In which of the following programs was it found that children who had a high quality preschool experience were more likely to graduate from high school than children from the same neighborhood who had no preschool experience? a. Montessori b. Reggio Emilia c. High/Scope d. The Project Approach

Q: If materials are left out on shelves too long without variation, children will lose interest and become bored.

Q: The best description of the role of the early childhood teacher as he or she collaborates with the community is represented in which of the following statements? a. A conduit of information between family members and other community resources or agencies. b. A community board member on other organizations advisory groups. c. A group leader in a support group for parents of young children. d. A person who tells families the limits of his or her role as a teacher, not a social worker.

Q: In the "Plan-Do-Review" process, adults do which of the following? a. Review children's work and make suggestions for what children can do to improve. b. Have children describe what they want to do, encourage them to do it, then help children reflect on what they did. c. Assess children's learning and then provide each child with an individualized learning plan which children then carry out. d. None of the above

Q: The kindergarten curriculum is planned around a letter each week. This is appropriate theme planning as described in your text.

Q: Transitions from a community preschool to a public Kindergarten are: a. very automatic as long as the parents register their children in the right district school. b. the responsibility of the parents or other family members, not the preschool teacher. c. easier on children and family members if preschool teachers provide information. d. the responsibility of the preschool teacher, not the family members.

Q: In the Reggio Emilia approach, which of the following methods are used to assess children's learning? a. Portfolios, memory books and children's constructions b. Portfolios, checklists and diagnostic evaluations c. Memory books and certain standardized assessments agreed on by teachers and parents d. Digital records and paper pencil tests

Q: The first-grade curriculum requires all children to learn about the library. The library would make an appropriate theme as described in your text.

Q: Which is NOT a barrier to male participation in early childhood classrooms? a. Female family members are often gatekeepers of information and do not share it with the men in the family. b. Men frequently have work schedules that are not conducive to participation. c. Men simply are not as interested in the education of the young children as are women. d. The interaction styles of men are different than those of women and that makes teachers uncomfortable.

Q: In the Reggio Emilia approach, which of the following experiences is NOT emphasized? a. Teachers carefully observe children to learn about their interests and understandings. b. Children investigate projects that may last several weeks. c. Children often work with a specialist trained in the visual arts. d. Children are encouraged to work independent of one another.

Q: Children provide the best source of thematic ideas for teachers to plan around.

Q: Which of the following are considered family strengths that are supported by research? a. Firm control of behavior at home and church attendance. b. Stability of family routines and reasonable expectations for the children. c. A parent who volunteer regularly and works fund raisers. d. Permissive attitude toward electronic media and homework.

Q: An IEP for a child with a disability includes all of the following EXCEPT: a. A description of the child's strengths, needs, and goals b. Program modifications c. A list of activities the child will not be able to participate in d. Special education services to be provided

Q: Themes should be addressed only once per year.

Q: Ms. Silwa offered the parents an opportunity to express their concerns about the childcare program in a semiannual parent forum designed specifically for that purpose. What principle of establishing relationships with the families did this support? a. Show genuine interest in family members by listening carefully and responding. b. Make personal contact with families. c. Focus on family strengths. d. Treat family members with consideration and respect.

Q: A four year old with cerebral palsy is enrolled in your classroom The child's IEP is shared with you. IEP stands for: a. Inclusive Environmental Plan b. Individualized Educational Plan c. Integrated Educational Program d. Inclusive Educational Play

Q: The fieldwork portion of the Project Approach occurs in Phase 2.

Q: What is the least appropriate step in preparing for the parent conference for a second grade child? a. Invite the family to come on an evening and time so that the parent can confer with all the teachers in the building if that parent has more than one child. b. Set up a comfortable space with adult sized chairs and paper to make notes of things you agree to do. c. Arrange the books that the child is using so that the parent can look at them while waiting and your record book so that you can read off the report typically sent to the parent. d. Outline key ideas you want to share with the parent, making sure positive or pleasant experiences the child has had in the classroom are reported.

Q: Which statement best describes how the concept of learning through experience, multi-sensory, or hands-on learning has evolved over time? a. Hands-on learning was popular once, but is now known to be ineffective in meeting current learning standards. b. Hands-on learning was first proposed as part of the traditional nursery school, which evolved slowly after World War I. c. Hands-on learning began in Head Start, which was developed in the mid-1960s. d. Hands-on learning has been developing since the 17th century and has been implemented in a variety of ways thereafter.

Q: What are some strategies that will support children's respect for other children's play and construction?

Q: Why provide the parents of very young children who are in a program for the first time with a guide for participation in a parent conference? a. So the teacher will know what to expect parents to ask. b. To increase the likelihood of parents attending and feeling comfortable enough to ask questions. c. This strategy is unnecessary because if the parents have been to school, they should know it already. d. The teacher will have control of the situation.

Q: Under what circumstances should teachers consciously consider culturally appropriateness of activities?a. In a group of children composed of children from different races.b. In a group of children composed of children from different economic circumstances.c. In any group of children, regardless of group composition.d. In a group of children where some children have special needs.

Q: Explain the difference between fighting and rough and tumble play.

Q: Mrs. Lachance organized her family centered childcare facility to provide a space for parents to sit and relax as they picked up their children. She developed a coupon sharing opportunity and library on child rearing. There was either a monthly breakfast or potluck in the evening in addition to bimonthly phone calls or opportunities for conferences. One Saturday a year she arranged for a gym day at the center. What characteristic of effective family involvement is this? a. Collaboration. b. Variety c. Intensity d. Individuation

Q: Which of the following is NOT a general practice associated with DAP? a. Primary teachers follow the schedule and lessons assigned by the central administration with little or no deviation. b. Primary teachers develop warm caring relationships with children. c. Children have numerous opportunities to learn by doing through hands on activities. d. Programs address the needs of all children including children with a special need or those whose home language is not English.

Q: What is the difference between story reenactment and pretend play with fictional roles?

Q: Michael Carr, a non-custodial parent, was interested in the reading level of his son Josh during this first-grade year. He phoned the school in the middle of November only to learn that the parent conferences were just over. Mrs. Kundel, Josh's teacher arranged for another conference the following week. What characteristic of effective family involvement is this? a. Collaboration b. Variety c. Intensity d. Individuation

Q: When should a teacher feel most confident that she is engaging in developmentally appropriate practices? a. When her program has purchased a curriculum that has been advertised as developmentally appropriate. b. When his Head Start leadership has chosen a curriculum from a list that is described as developmentally appropriate. c. When she makes daily judgments about how individual activities meet the specific needs and interests of children in the group. d. When he provides ample time for play indoors and outside.

Q: What are the elements of pretend play? Define each one.

Q: Ms. Novak was timid and wary of talking to teachers. She did not attend the group meetings of parents for the classroom because she did not want to look foolish. Mrs. Schurig telephoned her from time-to-time talking about the progress that Abraham was making. What characteristic of effective family involvement is this? a. Collaboration b. Variety c. Intensity d. Individuation

Q: Choose the most appropriate description of developmentally appropriate practice. a. DAP focuses mostly on social and language skills, less on cognition. b. DAP tends to ignore academics unless children ask about things like colors and numerals. c. Children are active decision-makers in the learning process. d. All children are expected to learn the same things at the same time.

Q: Which strategy will be most productive in supporting construction play related to a pet unit? a. Place an ample supply of materials in open shelving and wait for the children to do something with them. Give assistance as needed. Answer any questions. b. Copy and enlarge the pattern for making a dog that you have found in a published resource. Ask children to follow the directions carefully. Help individual children and replace the pattern piece if one child messes up. c. Ask a dog owner to bring a dog into the classroom. Encourage children to look carefully at various parts of the body. Point out anything they might have missed. Later ask children to record in some way the dog visit. d. Stop children from making mistakes if they are not recording their learning accurately. Make them start over after they have more information about what they are doing. If this does not work, they can sit and wait till the others are finished.

Q: Three-year-old Samantha clung to her mother and cried vigorously every morning when she was brought to the St. Mary's Childcare center. Ms. Brines began phoning Samantha's mother after she had settled down to play after having discussed this strategy with the family in advance. What Characteristic of effective family involvement is this? a. Collaboration b. Variety c. Intensity d. Individuation

Q: Chang is having trouble sitting through the story that the teacher is reading at circle time. The teacher knows the following things about Chang: 1) Chang is 2 years old. 2) This is Chang's first day in the program. 3) Chang and his family are newly arrived from Korea. If the teacher wants to respond using developmentally practices, which of these pieces of information should she keep in mind about Chang? a. 1 & 2 b. 1 & 3 c. 2 & 3 d. 1, 2 and 3.

Q: A group of four year olds had been playing flower shop successfully for several days and Ms. Grausam has noted their flagging interest. What strategy would be the best to use in this instance to promote and expand this play? a. Provide tissue paper and a wagon with a "Delivery Sign" attached to the back. b. Ask the group why Jefferson is not involved in the play. c. Make a nondirective comment about what the children are doing such as, "It looks like you are arranging flowers." d. Observe carefully to see what happens next.

Q: Which of the following alternatives are the LEAST likely reason family members do not get involved in young children's programs? a. Most adults are disinterested in the children's education. b. Adult family members may feel that they don"t have the skills to participate meaningfully. c. Some adults are rebuffed when they are limited to menial skills and fund raising. d. Family members may be asked to participate when they have other commitments.

Q: Arnold Gesell developed age-related norms for children's growth and development at Yale University.

Q: Under what conditions will the highest quality of play occur? a. Children need at least 10 minutes to play at the end of the day or before lunch. b. Children can play when the teacher is busy writing plans or grading seatwork. c. The best play is when children figure out what they want to do and then bring materials from home to use. d. Children play best when the feel secure and comfortable and have the time and materials to use.

Q: Which childcare center will have the greatest amount of parental participation? a. The center where regular first Tuesday of the month parent meetings are held. b. The center that has staff committed to parent involvement and trained for effective interaction with family members. c. The center that promotes big name specialists in child development. d. The center that has mostly families with two parents.

Q: An activity that is developmentally appropriate for one group of children would be appropriate for all groups of children the same age.

Q: What influences individual differences in children's pretend play? a. Age, because pretend play skills simply emerge in a systematic manner over time. b. Cultural background and family life because poor kids do not know how to pretend. c. Maturity, style and social involvement preferences, culture and family background. d. Master players present in the group and the quality of materials available.

Q: Mrs. Graue was busy at her desk when Josh's mother came into the room. She looked up at this stranger and said, "Do you want something?" Josh's mother, who was cleanly but poorly dressed asked, "How is Josh doing in school?" Mrs. Graue responded with a succinct report, indicating that Josh was quiet and did not bother anybody. She added that he could pay attention better during group time than he had been. Then she looked at her watch. Josh's mom nodded her head and left. She did not return to school again. Who should be held accountable? a. The mother, because parents should be expected to call ahead for appointments. b. The mother because not attending other functions indicated her lack of interest. c. The teacher was responsible because her responses were unfriendly and indifferent. d. The teacher because she knew so little about Josh.

Q: Programs characterized by developmentally appropriate practice are ones in which teachers spend much of their time moving throughout the room working with children individually and in small groups.

Q: Mrs. Granger had several five year olds who did not seem to know what to do in the housekeeping area and just fingered the materials. Last year, when she taught three and four year olds in a neighboring community, they all could participate in housekeeping play with no difficulty. What would be the best explanation of these differences in performance? a. Differences in maturity. b. Ethnic differences. c. Family Life experience. d. Differences in learning and practice.

Q: Why don"t parents participate in some early childhood programs? a. They already know and understand what is going on in the school. b. They may feel unwelcome in the environment because of their own school experience. c. They are uninterested and uninvolved in the children's education. d. They believe that they are participating just by sending the children to school.

Q: Children's brain development is enhanced when they are rested and well fed.

Q: Which is the best explanation that materials are independent from the ideas that they represent? a. Materials are used as resources and may not be related in any way to the meaning that the child assigns to the final product. b. Children have the skills necessary to use the materials independently. c. What children represent with a specific material is highly dependent upon cues suggested by the materials themselves. d. The technical difficulties that a child experiences while using a specific material influence the meaning of the final product.

Q: Which of the following is less likely to achieve an effective two-way communication between the program and the families? a. Create a notebook that family members and staff communicate as it is sent back and forth between the child's home and the program. b. Carry out home visits to get to know children and family members in the home environment. c. Structure family conferences to emphasize collaborations between members and teachers. d. Send home a regular newsletter.

Q: The Common Core goals apply to K-12 education and were designed to replace DAP for children in kindergarten, first and second grade.

Q: Which material is least likely to require the cognitive function necessary for construction play? a. An erector set which James selects to make an oil derrick b. Blocks that Adel selects to construct an apartment building. c. A paint-by-number set that was a gift to Thad. d. Stones, sticks and leaves that Kelvin uses to make a village.

Q: How can you promote family involvement? a. Provide calendars that describe simple daily or weekly learning activities that families can try at home with their children. b. Restrict your family contact to formal conversations between family members and program personnel. c. Send home catalogues with all children to sell wrapping paper and holiday cards. d. Tell other teachers in the teacher's lounge about the families they will deal with next year.

Q: The concept of child-initiated learning had its beginnings in the early 20th century.

Q: Which child is engaged in the most complex form of pretend play?a. Karen is making a nurses cap so that she can play nurse with other children as patients.b. Jacquel is quietly talking to herself as if she were sailing a boat while painting blue watercolor.c. Vincent is providing the noise for the truck he is moving across the floor, "rummmm, rummmm".d. Donald is "cooking" while playing alone in the housekeeping area.

Q: What is characteristic of effective family involvement? a. The program should plan the events that require all families to be involved in the same ways, at the same time, or to the same degree. b. Once you build a trusting relationship between programs and families, it is not necessary to maintain contact. c. There is a match between what programs are designed to accomplish and what families need as well as between the strategies implemented and those to which family members feel receptive. d. Family members cooperate in fund raising for field trips and materials for the school

Q: Whole child learning refers to keeping in mind the cultural contexts in which children learn.

Q: How are meta-communications used during pretend play? a. To describe what is and is not play. b. To share information. c. To argue with others. d. To ask questions

Q: Which of the following is NOT an effective type of family involvement for long-term engagement? a. School provides family members with idea for helping children learn at home. b. Family members attend workshops or other programs for their own education or training. c. Family members take decision-making roles on advisory councils or on other committees. d. Family members are called to the administrator's office because the child is misbehaving in class.

Q: Family traditions are part of culture, but not all of it.

Q: Four-year-old Winslow is under the snack table growling and bending his fingers in a claw like action. What elements of pretend play is he demonstrating? a. All of the elements are present. b. None of the elements are present. c. Make believe, role-playing, and object substitution. d. Transformation of time, make believe, object invention.

Q: School personnel welcome fathers and generally make extra efforts to involve non-custodial fathers in most programs for young children.

Q: A teacher explains that she makes sure her circle times include movement activities because she does not expect kindergartners to be able to sit still for long. She is thinking about age appropriateness.