CHAPTER 1
Multiple Choice
1. At the present time it is thought that the best way to provide learning opportunities for children with
disabilities is
a. In classrooms called non-categorical
b. In classrooms with typically developing children
c. In classrooms for developmentally delayed
d. In classrooms especially equipped for their disability
2. Children with disabilities
a. May not be able to learn spontaneously from play
a. Learn in exactly the same way that other children do
b. Always learn more slowly and with great difficulty
c. Need highly structured lessons to learn
3. The least restrictive environment is
a. In a regular classroom if appropriate
b. Always in a regular classroom
c. Usually in a special education classroom
d. Never in a special education classroom
4. Strong parent organizations that aided children with disabilities were first created
a. After World War I
b. After World War II
c. In the 1990s
d. In 2004
5. Inclusion support activities for the ECE who has a child with disabilities in the class might include
a. Ongoing observation and assessment of the child
b. Inservice information to staff members about the child’s disability
c. Demonstration of specific intervention techniques
d. All of the above
6. Early childhood curricula usually include experiences in
a. Exploration
b. Sharing
c. Interaction with peers
d. All of the above
7. Today children with any disabling condition should
a. Always be placed in regular classrooms with special help
b. Be educated in the least restrictive appropriate environment
c. Be taught from the earliest possible time by teachers who are trained in special education
d. Be evaluated and identified according to disabling conditions
8. Legislation requires that __________ of children in Head Start be children with disabilities
a. 10%
b. 15%
c. 20%
d. 25%
9. Public Law 94-142 was enacted in
a. 1935
b. 1955
c. 1975
d. 1979
10. Montessori developed a
a. Nursery school for children who are gifted
b. Day-care center for young Italians in New York City
c. Casa dei Bambini in Rome
d. A test to determine if children are retarded
11. The far-reaching law that guarantees equal opportunity in employment, public accommodation,
transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications is
a. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
b. The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990
c. The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990 Part H
d. The First Chance Program (HCEEP) in 1968
12. Public Law 99-457, The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986
a. Authorized Individual Family Services Plans (IFSPs)
b. Requires statements about mental retardation
c. Tightened eligibility requirements for infants and toddlers
d. All of the above
13. The term “natural environments” means
a. The least restrictive environment
b. And environment where technology is available
c. An environment where children without disabilities participate
d. Services provided in the home
14. When caring for young children in groups it is not important to create
a. Small group sizes
b. A bond between a child and an instructor of the same gender
c. Continuity of care
d. Cultural and familial continuity
15. An example of a community-based inclusive setting would be
a. Head Start
b. Neighborhood play group
c. Child development center
d. All of the above
True-False
1. Natural environments are the same as least restrictive environments.
2. By 2005, the majority of schools had developed curriculum standards for 3– to 5-year-olds.
3. The range of “normalcy” in children 0–5 is quite narrow.
4. Children with disabilities do not need to have a program with educational experiences individualized.
5. During the early years, the educational focus is more on the process than on the content of learning.
6. The parent of a child with disabilities can be assured that there will be a program in the least restrictive
environment available for that child in the community.
7. Itard’s contribution to child development was the theory of inborn adaptation.
8. Teachers in a Montessori program use sequenced lessons.
9. Research has shown that a factor significantly associated with positive child development is maternal
responsiveness.
10. Most child-focused programs are currently directed by the teacher.
11. The main purpose of P.L. 94-142 was to establish free appropriate public education.
12. Best practice emphasizes evidence-based practices.
13. Head Start graduates have been found to have an increased likelihood of attending college..
14. Section 504 was the first public law designed to protect against discrimination of children with disabilities.
15. A current paradigm shift in ECSE is the focus on the caregiving environment rather than on the infant or
child.
Short Answer
1. Describe some of the key findings from research on preschool inclusion.
2. Explain how, during the early years, the educational focus is more on the process of exploration,
manipulation, expression, sharing, and active involvement than on the content or products of learning.
3. Describe some of the unique challenges involved in supporting inclusion.
4. Briefly describe standards-based curriculum and explain why it is important.
5. Name two significant mandates of P.L. 94-142.
6. Name two significant mandates of IDEA.
7. Why should we be cautious in accepting all recent ideas in early childhood special education?
8. What does the term “natural environments” mean?
9. What is the theory behind the transactional approach?
10. ECE has recognized the importance of some ECSE practices. What are they?
Comprehensive Essay
1. Discuss the arguments in favor of educating children with disabilities with children without disabilities in
early childhood. What are the pros and cons of these arguments?
2. Suppose a parent said to you: “I don’t want my child in the same classroom with those retarded kids.”
Write your appropriate reply.
3. Johnny wears a brace on one leg and has limited visual abilities. Johnny’s parents insist that he be
educated with “normal” children. Martha is hard of hearing but has acquired some speech and imitates
readily. The multidisciplinary diagnostic team thinks that she will learn from observing typical peers.
What steps will you take to integrate these two children into our early education center? Consider the
children, their families, and the children and parents you are already serving. Be specific in stating exactly
what you will do and when.
4. Give three reasons why the early years are considered to be optimal ones for inclusion of children with
disabilities.
5. Give three examples of when full inclusion might not be the best educational alternative for a child.
6. Early childhood special educators are expected to have the skills necessary to work with all children.
However, additional skills and competencies are needed as an ECSE. Name five of those skills and/or
competences and explain why they are important.
7. Outline the dramatic changes in attitudes toward young children with disabilities that have taken place over
the last century.
8. Describe the major features of IDEA.
9. Compare and contrast child-focused and caregiver-focused programs. What are the strong and weak points
of each?
10. Explain what is meant by “a child with disabilities is a child first” and how that statement relates to the
federal legislation terminology change from the Education for All Handicapped Act to Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act.
Test Bank Answer Key