Gordon Biddle, Early Childhood Education Instructor Resource
Chapter 5: Child Development and Milestones
Test Bank
1. The brain has a lot of ___________, meaning that it can adapt and recover very well if injured.
2. If environmental experiences do not repeatedly and strongly send information along a specific
synapse, then it is possible for the synapse to be erased or eliminated. This is called
3. Because of their growth needs, infants spend most of their time in some state of
4. The _______ reflex happens when you touch a newborn’s cheek.
5. The _______ reflex occurs in response to something touching an infant’s mouth or lips.
6. When a small object is placed in a baby’s hand, the ________ reflex happens.
7. When an infant’s bare feet touch a flat surface, the infant reflexively takes steps forward in a
rhythmic fashion. This is called
8. The first stage to acquiring fine motor skills occurs when an infant clumsily reaches for or
swats at an object in her visual field. This is called
9. The second stage to acquired fine motor skills occurs when the infant uses her eyes to examine
the target object’s position and to guide the movement of her hand in an attempt to grasp the
object. This is called
10. ____________ means an infant is able to keep his head steady in an upright position and
move it voluntarily.
11. __________ in the early childhood years involves just basic awareness and understanding of
language.
12. __________ is a bond or emotional tie to another person who plays a special role in the
infant’s life.
13. Brain development is quite important for cognitive development since all of a young child’s
learning is based on __________ changes in the brain.
14. When a young child realizes that an object exists even though he does not see it, he has
learned
15. When a baby makes sounds that approximate words, it is called
16. A baby produces her first word that actually refers to a person or object at around what age?
17. Producing word sounds is called
18. An understanding of the structure of reading and writing is called
19. ___________ children are at risk of losing motivation and becoming underachievers in terms
of their overall development during the early years.
21. Infants begin sitting on their own at around seven months.
22. Large muscle control does not develop in a universal sequence.
23. Twins normally will develop at the same rate.
24. Infants obtain adult-type grasping, prehension, around twelve months of age.
25. Neurons are basic brain cells that carry and store information.
26. Infants cannot be taught self-help skills; it is better to wait until they are preschoolers.
27. Early experiences determine what will happen in the future.
28. Since infants are so small, it is not important to read stories to them.
29. Peers play a vital role in a young child’s life.
30. An infant’s first relationships begin within the family, and both mother and father play an
important role.
31. According to Dr. Bruce Perry, what are some ways to create an emotionally safe classroom?
32. There are six basic states of arousal that an infant experiences during a typical day. List those
six arousal states.
33. Although they are very basic, sleeping and waking patterns are very important. Explain the
importance of sleeping and waking patterns.
34. At birth infants exhibit some inborn, genetic movements or reflexes that help the infant to
interact with his or her world and survive. Reflexes are only elicited by specific environmental
stimuli and may be a signal of whether the infant’s nervous system is intact and mature. List the
four general and basic reflexes and their definitions.
35. Large muscle control develops in a universal sequence. Discuss the six milestones associated
with gross motor skills.
36. Clarify why it is important for young children to develop self-help skills and provide an
example.
37. Is there a specific time when children should be potty-trained? Explain yes or no.
38. Discuss some of the weaknesses in Piaget’s original theory.
39. During infancy, there is a specific progression toward uttering the first word. How does that
progression typically move?
40. List and describe the four stages of attachment.
Gordon Biddle, Early Childhood Education Instructor Resource
41. In order to enrich the many developmental areas of young children, there are six strategies
that were discussed as being important for effective teaching. List these strategies and identify
the one that is most impacted by developmental milestones.