UIC College of Education Content Test Prep

Correct Answer: B

What is Object Permanence? Object Permanence is the understanding that whether something can be seen or sensed, it still continues to exist in the mind and in the world. Between the ages of 18-24 months most infants will have a fully functional sense of object permanence. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, studied object permanence in infants and determined it to be one of the most important accomplishments in infant development.

Best Response: D 

Jean Piaget

This question aligns with the idea that young children need lots of hands-on experiences manipulating actual objects in order to construct an understanding of number concepts. Once children build and internalize number sense, they can more readily shift to thinking about numbers in more abstract ways (number symbols, mental math, etc.) 

Correct Response: D.

According to Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory of learning, social learning precedes development. Vygotsky noted that “Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people and then inside the child.” Additionally, he stated that often children will learn from a “More Knowledgeable Other”, as demonstrated in this scenario.  One child learns a new puzzle-solving strategy by observing another child use the strategy first.

Correct Response: C. 

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 Answer: B

When children engage in pretend or “make-believe” play, as when they play “house” and pretend to be parents; pretend to be fantasy characters; or use toys to represent real persons, animals or machines, etc. they understand that one thing can be used as a symbol to stand for something else. This is what is called Symbolic Representation. 

The symbolic nature of play moves from less to more advanced. These images offer a great visual for how the hypothetical and imaginary worlds of children’s play can move along a continuum from more concrete symbolism (toy phone) to abstract symbolism (banana as a phone or completely improvised phone).  As children move from the concrete to the abstract, their thinking becomes more and more imaginative and creative.

Correct Answer: C

The question requires applying knowledge of play modes for young children. It describes a state of parallel play, in which children are playing separately from others but with similar toys or in a manner that mimics their neighbor’s play.  

Correct Answer: D

Having children create a picture book of different bugs helps them understand how the visual representation of bugs in their book can convey information. It is also an ideal way to integrate science content and literacy goals. 

Correct Response: B

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: C

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

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: D 

A Developmental Screening is a brief assessment that can be administered by early childhood teachers to help identify if a child is on track with their early childhood developmental milestones. Such screenings can help identify children who may be at risk for delays in cognitive, motor, communication, or social-emotional development. Such delays can affect a child’s learning, growth, and development, and may require further evaluation and intervention.

Correct Response B. 

This question requires the examinee to recognize informal assessments and their applications in early childhood programs. Although more subjective than various other assessments, a rating scale is a quick, efficient way to gather information without disrupting learning. 

Using a rating scale over time would allow the teacher to monitor and document a child’s performance of specific skills and to provide timely intervention as necessary.

Assessment Focused Terms PDF

Correct Response: D. 

Fluent readers employ prosody (e.g., pitch, stress, timing) to interpret and convey the meaning of the text they are reading. A child who reads an author’s words with appropriate phrasing and expression is demonstrating key indicators associated with reading fluency.

Correct Response: C. 

Asking a kindergartner to write a title on a picture he or she has just drawn would provide the teacher with a variety of information. For example, this task would show whether the child understands that writing is different from drawing and that print is directional. It would demonstrate the child’s letter-formation skills. It would also be likely to provide information on the child’s understanding of letter-sound correspondence (e.g., if the child uses letters and words that correspond to the names of the objects in the drawing).

Correct Response: B

Rather than taking the lead in identifying the issue causing the conflict and determining best way to resolve it, the teacher can reinforce problem solving strategies and communication skills by asking the children to describe the problem as they perceive it then encourage the children to come up with viable solutions that they can both agree upon. When children take an active role in finding solutions to such conflicts, they will be more motivated to accept and apply the new resolution. 

Correct Response: A

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: B

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 

This question requires the examinee to apply knowledge of supportive learning environments that promote students’ sense of competence and motivation to learn. Research has shown that children are motivated by high but realistic learning expectations. 

Differentiating instruction allows teachers to set learning expectations at the appropriate level for each student. Students who believe that they can achieve success through effort and persistence become self-confident, motivated learners.

Correct Response: A. 

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.