Study Guide

Field 036: Prekindergarten (Subtest I)
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Competency 0001
Understand the foundations of programs and services for young children (birth to five) and issues, laws, and policies that affect children, families, and programs.

Which of the following would be most appropriate to include in the philosophy statement of an early childhood education program?

  1. the certification requirements for teachers in the program
  2. an anecdotal description of a typical day in one of the program's classrooms
  3. the goals for the children enrolled in the program
  4. a listing of all the program's teachers and their professional degrees and/or training
Answer
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to understand the foundation of programs and services for young children. The philosophy statement of an early childhood program should provide a clear exposition of the program's purpose. Because the primary purpose of such a program is to serve the children enrolled, the program's goals for the children would constitute a vital component of the philosophy statement.
Competency 0002
Understand the roles and responsibilities of members of the early childhood profession.

To ensure that an early childhood program is successful in obtaining accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), it is of primary importance that the early childhood program manager be skillful in:

  1. helping families build relationships with one another.
  2. keeping records and collecting data for the program.
  3. communicating with organizations in the community.
  4. marketing and raising money for the program.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
To be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) an early childhood program must adhere to a comprehensive set of requirements. Keeping detailed records regarding staff, facilities, children, accounting, and curriculum will help a manager to document compliance with the NAEYC standards.
Competency 0003
Understand the characteristics of families and communities and their roles in the development and learning of young children (birth to five).

Which of the following strategies would best help a preschool teacher build a productive relationship with children's families while involving the families in the children's education?

  1. recommending that families attend seminars about the effective parenting of young children
  2. providing frequent, written updates to families about their children's academic progress
  3. consulting with families on an ongoing basis about the goals that they have for their children
  4. suggesting that families become involved with their local parent teacher organization
Answer
Correct Response: C.
The family is the child's primary teacher. Consistently reviewing achievement goals with families creates a collaborative partnership and promotes the reinforcement of children's educational goals at home.
Competency 0004
Understand how to establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families, other professionals, and community agencies and organizations.

Which of the following strategies could a preschool teacher use to inform families most effectively about their children's development and learning?

  1. Compile portfolios of children's work and send these back and forth from preschool to home regularly.
  2. Create a Web site that families can visit to get information about what their children are doing.
  3. Provide families with handouts that feature information about typical child development.
  4. Develop homework assignments that require families to work with their children on particular tasks.
Answer
Correct Response: A.
The portfolio is a collection of a child's work products over a period of time. A portfolio allows a family to see the progress their child is making and it gives family members an opportunity to discuss the work with their child.
Competency 0005
Understand growth and development in early childhood and the characteristics and needs of young children (birth to five).

If a three-year-old girl was born prematurely with low birth weight, which of the following developmental characteristics is she most likely to exhibit?

  1. increased aggression and anxiety
  2. decreased sociability with adults and other children
  3. increased cognitive and sensorimotor dysfunction
  4. decreased levels of energy and attention
Answer
Correct Response: C.
Premature birth and low birth weight are directly linked to smaller brain size and slowed brain development, both of which increase the risk for learning and sensorimotor disabilities.
Competency 0006
Understand factors that influence the development and learning of young children (birth to five).

Which of the following activities would be most appropriate for a caregiver to use in helping an 18 month old develop expressive language skills?

  1. reading simple words in children's books while pointing them out to the toddler
  2. making the sounds made by familiar animals and encouraging the toddler to mimic them
  3. humming nursery rhymes and encouraging the toddler to move in rhythm
  4. showing the toddler the shapes that the mouth makes while saying simple words
Answer
Correct Response: B.
At this stage in language development, an 18-month-old child needs to be immersed in interactive activities that are rich with sound and language. In this case, the child listens to and then mimics sounds that do not require the production of words.
Competency 0007
Understand basic health, nutrition, and safety management practices for young children (birth to five).

When identified in a daily informal health check, which of the following conditions or symptoms would warrant the exclusion of a young child from school for at least a 24-hour period?

  1. rash without fever or changes in behavior
  2. fever in the absence of any other signs or symptoms of illness
  3. slightly red eyes with a clear watery discharge and no fever
  4. sore throat with fever and swollen glands
Answer
Correct Response: D.
Swollen glands, a sore throat, and fever are all symptoms of an infection. This child must be assumed to be contagious and should be excluded from school to avoid the spread of the infection to others.
Competency 0008
Understand human diversity and how to create an environment that is inclusive and respectful of individual differences.

In a preschool classroom that includes children from a variety of cultural backgrounds as well as children with special needs, which of the following strategies would be most effective for enhancing young children's learning and development?

  1. implementing a daily schedule that is easy for children to follow
  2. creating activities based on the interests of each of the children
  3. matching all children with a peer buddy with similar abilities
  4. establishing clear expectations for the children's behavior
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Presenting children with activities based on their interests will focus their attention, prompting them to participate enthusiastically and learn more readily. Individualized activities allow children of all ability levels to participate more actively in learning.
Competency 0009
Understand communication and language development in young children (birth to five).

The parents of a girl who is an English Language Learner meet with their child's preschool teacher. They want to help the daughter to learn English, but they also want her to continue to communicate effectively with them in their primary language. In this situation, the preschool teacher should advise the parents to:

  1. limit the use of their primary language in the home until their child becomes proficient in English.
  2. speak both languages in the home if possible, but discourage the child's use of their primary language.
  3. allow their child to use English in the home and maintain their cultural traditions.
  4. continue using their primary language in the home, but be supportive of the child's use of English.
Answer
Correct Response: D.
A primary predictor of successful second language acquisition is a child's proficiency with his or her first language. The language skills acquired in the native language will transfer positively to the learning of a second language.
Competency 0010
Understand how to create and maintain environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all young children (birth to five).

Lisa, who is the youngest child in a preschool class, has repeatedly shown signs of stress at being unable to do things the older children are able to accomplish with ease. Her teacher, Mr Hoskins, has become concerned about this situation and is trying to think of ways to help Lisa. Which of the following actions by Mr. Hoskins would best promote Lisa's self-esteem and intrinsic motivation?

  1. pairing Lisa with an older child during activities that the teacher suspects Lisa will find difficult
  2. ensuring the availability of activities that will appeal to Lisa and that she is likely to perform successfully
  3. reassuring Lisa that she will be able to do just as well as the other children when she gets a little older
  4. assigning Lisa to work on alternative projects when the other children are participating in more difficult activities
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to understand how to create and maintain environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all young children (birth to five). Lisa needs to be helped to overcome her feelings of incompetence and failure. Mr. Hoskins's best strategy would therefore be to plan activities that Lisa will feel motivated to take part in and at which she will experience success.