Lifespan

Deliberate action that is harmful to a child's physical, emotional, or sexual well-being.

child abuse:

Intentional harm to or avoidable endangerment of anyone under 18 years of age.

child maltreatment:

Failure to meet a child's basic physical, educational, or emotional needs.

child neglect:

According to the text, which of the following has been found to make pools safer for young children? a. a variety of floating pool toys b. fences surrounding the pool c. locked patio doors d. warning children to stay away from the pool

b. fences surrounding the pool

The unconscious desire of girls to replace their mothers and win their fathers' exclusive love.

Electra complex:

The most widespread early-childhood-education program in the United States, begun in 1965 and funded by the federal government.

Head Start:

Schools that offer early-childhood education based on the philosophy of Maria Montessori (an Italian educator more than a century ago); it emphasizes careful work and tasks that each young child can do.

Montessori schools:

Jessica's husband works on car engines as a hobby. Jessica often fails to figure out exactly what a particular part is, but she gets the general idea of what it does and places it in an appropriate mental category. This is an example of: a. scaffolding. b. fast-mapping. c. guided participation. d. conservation.

b. fast-mapping.

The unconscious desire of young boys to replace their fathers and win their mothers' exclusive love.

Oedipus complex:

A famous program of early-childhood education that originated in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy; it encourages each child's creativity in a carefully designed setting.

Reggio Emilia:

When many ethnic groups live together in a nation with abundant food and adequate medical care, children of ________ descent tend to be tallest. a. African b. Asian c. European d. Latin

a. African

In the United States, which ethnicity has the highest childhood obesity rate? a. Hispanic b. African American c. Korean d. European American

a. Hispanic

The process by which children develop an interconnected set of categories for words is called: a. scaffolding. b. fast-mapping. c. guided participation. d. conservation.

b. fast-mapping.

A characteristic of preoperational thought whereby a young child focuses (centers) on one idea, excluding all others.

centration:

A tiny brain structure that registers emotions, particularly fear and anxiety.

amygdala:

Why do experts prefer the term "injury control" to the term "accident prevention"? a. The use of the term "accident" suggests that no one is at fault and that certain events are inevitable. b. Though accidents can be prevented, it is more useful to minimize injury. c. Federal funding is available for efforts aimed at "injury control," but not those designed for "accident prevention." d. The word "prevention" is overused and is generally avoided by all experts.

a. The use of the term "accident" suggests that no one is at fault and that certain events are inevitable.

A 3-year-old who gives his mother a toy car for HER birthday and expects that she will love it is demonstrating: a. egocentrism. b. centration. c. focus on appearance. d. static reasoning.

a. egocentrism.

After noticing that her 4-year-old brother was having difficulty putting a jigsaw puzzle together, Rose helped him with the task by praising his successes and helping him to recognize progress. From Vygotsky's perspective, this as an example of: a. guided participation. b. conservation. c. cognitive operations. d. private speech.

a. guided participation.

Which of the following is a central processor of memory, especially of memory for locations? a. hippocampus b. hypothalamus c. amygdala d. pituitary

a. hippocampus

Which of the following is crucial for the expression and regulation of emotions? a. limbic system b. prefrontal cortex c. corpus callosum d. thalamus

a. limbic system

The tendency of a young child to apply rules of grammar when he or she should not is: a. overregularization. b. fast-mapping. c. syntax extension. d. scaffolding.

a. overregularization.

Which area is said to be the "executive" of the brain? a. prefrontal cortex b. corpus callosum c. occipital cortex d. hypothalamus

a. prefrontal cortex

A key finding from research on early-childhood education programs is: a. quality matters most. b. specific curricula matter most. c. philosophy of education matters most. d. home care is always best.

a. quality matters most.

Exposure to high levels of lead does not cause a. reduced motor skills. b. reduced intelligence. c. behavior problems. d. mental retardation.

a. reduced motor skills.

The "just-right" phenomenon: a. refers to young children's insistence on routine. b. becomes particularly evident after 6 years of age. c. is a pathological development in a young child. d. is uncommon in children under 6.

a. refers to young children's insistence on routine.

When a young child insists that his or her potatoes be placed on a certain part of the dinner plate, he or she is exhibiting: a. the "just-right" phenomenon. b. the "all's well" phenomenon. c. picky eater's syndrome. d. a mental disorder.

a. the "just-right" phenomenon.

Theory of mind: a. typically appears rather suddenly. b. occurs in predictable phases over a period of two to three years between the ages of 4 and 8. c. occurs in predictable phases over a period of two to three years between the ages of 8 and 12. d. does not occur until the formal operational stage of cognitive development is reached.

a. typically appears rather suddenly.

We recognize today that child abuse or maltreatment is: a. usually perpetrated by the child's parents or immediate relatives. b. accidental or intentional. c. rare and sudden. d. most often the work of mentally ill strangers.

a. usually perpetrated by the child's parents or immediate relatives.

Feelings of dislike or even hatred for another person.

antipathy:

An approach to child rearing that is characterized by high behavioral standards, strict punishment of misconduct, and little communication.

authoritarian parenting:

An approach to child rearing in which the parents set limits and enforce rules but are flexible and listen to their children.

authoritative parenting:

Child-centered programs recognize that children learn through play with other children. This is most consistent with the views of: a. Piaget. b. Vygotsky. c. Erikson. d. Freud.

b. Vygotsky.

Deliberate action that is harmful to a child's physical, emotional, or sexual well-being is the definition of: a. child maltreatment. b. child abuse. c. child neglect. d. substantiated maltreatment.

b. child abuse.

A goal of permanency planning in cases of substantiated child maltreatment is to: a. keep the biological family intact. b. find a long-term living situation. c. provide abusive parents a fair opportunity to reform. d. clear the backlog of cases pending before family-law courts.

b. find a long-term living situation.

Which characteristic of preoperational thought involves a child ignoring all attributes that are not apparent? a. static reasoning b. focus on appearance c. conservation d. irreversibility

b. focus on appearance

Overregularization demonstrates a child's understanding of: a. vocabulary. b. grammar. c. syntax. d. theory of mind.

b. grammar.

The ____________ is the central processor of memory, especially of memory for locations. a. prefrontal cortex b. hippocampus c. hypothalamus d. amygdala

b. hippocampus

Montessori schools emphasize: a. artistic expression. b. individual pride and accomplishment. c. group activities and projects. d. pretend and dramatic play.

b. individual pride and accomplishment.

The specialization in certain functions by each side of the brain is: a. associated tasks. b. lateralization. c. integrative processing. d. limbic processing.

b. lateralization.

Environmental hazards such as pollution interfere with the development of ______________. a. language skills b. motor skills c. brain activity d. artistic expression

b. motor skills

The prefrontal cortex is involved in: a. emotional and creative impulses. b. planning and goal-directed behavior. c. auditory and visual processing. d. voluntary movement and balance.

b. planning and goal-directed behavior.

The __________ function of speech occurs during both formal instruction and casual conversation. a. theory-theory b. social mediation c. scaffolding d. guided participation

b. social mediation

Which of the following is an example of the social mediation function of speech? a. when people talk to themselves b. when teachers explain things c. when adults use private speech quietly to develop new ideas d. when babies verbalize and practice the sounds of their native language

b. when teachers explain things

Vygotsky's term for the skills that a person can experience only with assistance, not yet independently, is: a. scaffolding. b. zone of proximal development. c. guided participation. d. theory of mind.

b. zone of proximal development.

A person who is fluent in two languages, not favoring one over the other.

balanced bilingual:

Unprovoked, repeated physical or verbal attack, especially on victims who are unlikely to defend themselves.

bullying aggression:

The _______ is the brain structure that registers emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. a. hypothalamus b. hippocampus c. amygdala d. cortex

c. amygdala

The _________ allows communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. a. integrative cortex b. central bundle c. corpus callosum d. association area

c. corpus callosum

Which Piagetian term literally means "self-centered"? a. centration b. preoperational thought c. egocentrism d. conservation

c. egocentrism

Which of the following is an example of tertiary prevention of child maltreatment? a. decreasing family isolation b. home visits by a social worker c. removing an abused child from the home d. preventing teen pregnancy

c. removing an abused child from the home

Which characteristic of preoperational thought involves a child assuming that the world is unchanging, always in the state in which the child currently encounters it? a. centration b. irreversibility c. static reasoning d. conservation

c. static reasoning

The understanding that other people can have thoughts and ideas unlike one's own describes: a. neurological maturation. b. linguistic competence. c. theory of mind. d. scaffolding.

c. theory of mind.

The principle that the amount of a substance remains the same (i.e., is conserved) even when its appearance changes.

conservation:

corpus callosum: A long, thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain and allows communication between them.

corpus callosum:

According to the text, what complicates the evaluation of Head Start programs? a. The program is no longer federally funded. b. Various programs refuse to participate. c. Gender-based differences in cognitive development make comparisons difficult. d. Programs vary in length, curriculum, and goals.

d. Programs vary in length, curriculum, and goals.

Which Vygotsky term refers to temporary support that is tailored to a learner's needs and abilities and is aimed at helping him or her master a new skill? a. zone of proximal development b. social mediation c. apprentice in training d. scaffolding

d. scaffolding

Vygotsky emphasized __________ as a measure of intelligence. a. curiosity b. operations c. what is known d. the ability to learn

d. the ability to learn

egocentrism: Piaget's term for young children's tendency to think about the world entirely from their own personal perspective.

egocentrism:

The ability to control when and how emotions are expressed.

emotional regulation:

empathy: The ability to understand the emotions and concerns of another person, especially when they differ from one's own.

empathy:

externalizing problems: Difficulty with emotional regulation that involves expressing powerful feelings through uncontrolled physical or verbal outbursts, as by lashing out at other people or breaking things.

externalizing problems:

A drive, or reason to pursue a goal, that arises from the need to have one's achievements rewarded from outside, perhaps by receiving material possessions or another person's esteem.

extrinsic motivation:

The speedy and sometimes imprecise way in which children learn new words by tentatively placing them in mental categories according to their perceived meaning.

fast-mapping:

A characteristic of preoperational thought whereby a young child ignores all attributes that are not apparent.

focus on appearance:

Differences in the roles and behaviors that are prescribed by a culture for males and females.

gender differences:

A child's cognitive concept or general belief about sex differences, which is based on his or her observations and experiences.

gender schema:

A brain structure that is a central processor of memory, especially memory for locations.

hippocampus:

A brain area that responds to the amygdala and the hippocampus to produce hormones that activate other parts of the brain and body.

hypothalamus:

An attempt to defend one's self-concept by taking on the behaviors and attitudes of someone else.

identification:

Make-believe friends who exist only in a child's increasingly common from ages 3 through 7, they combat loneliness and aid emotional regulation.

imaginary friends:

Erikson's third psychosocial crisis, in which children undertake new skills and activities and feel guilty when they do not succeed at them.

initiative versus guilt:

Practices that are aimed at anticipating, controlling, and preventing dangerous activities; these practices reflect the beliefs that accidents are not random and that injuries can be made less harmful if proper controls are in place.

injury control/harm reduction:

Hurtful behavior that is intended to get something that another person has and to keep it.

instrumental aggression:

Difficulty with emotional regulation that involves turning one's emotional distress inward, as by feeling excessively guilty, ashamed, or worthless.

internalizing problems:

A drive, or reason to pursue a goal, that comes from inside a person, such as the need to feel smart or competent.

intrinsic motivation:

A characteristic of preoperational thought whereby a young child thinks that nothing can be undone. A thing cannot be restored to the way it was before a change occurred.

irreversibility:

The tendency of children to insist on having things done in a particular way. This can include clothes, food, bedtime routines, and so on.

just right:

A form of foster care in which a relative of a maltreated child, usually a grandparent, becomes the approved caregiver.

kinship care:

Literally, "sidedness," referring to the specialization in certain functions by each side of the brain, with one side dominant for each activity. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa.

lateralization:

The major brain region crucial to the development of emotional expression and regulation; its three main areas are the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the hypothalamus, although recent research has found that many other areas of the brain are involved with emotions.

limbic system:

The process by which axons become coated with myelin, a fatty substance that speeds the transmission of nerve impulses from neuron to neuron.

myelination:

An approach to child rearing in which the parents are indifferent toward their children and unaware of what is going on in their children's lives.

neglectful/uninvolved parenting:

The tendency of children to copy an action that is not a relevant part of the behavior to be learned; common among 2- to 6-year-olds when they imitate adult actions that are irrelevant and inefficient.

overimitation:

The application of rules of grammar even when exceptions occur, making the language seem more "regular" than it actually is.

overregularization:

The tendency to persevere in, or stick to, one thought or action for a long time.

perseveration:

The area of the cortex at the very front of the brain that specializes in anticipation, planning, and impulse control.

prefrontal cortex:

Piaget's term for cognitive development between the ages of about 2 and 6; it includes language and imagination (which involve symbolic thought), but logical, operational thinking is not yet possible.

preoperational intelligence:

Actions that change overall background conditions to prevent some unwanted event or circumstance, such as injury, disease, or abuse.

primary prevention:

scaffolding: Temporary support that is tailored to a learner's needs and abilities and aimed at helping the learner master the next task in a given learning process.

scaffolding:

Actions that avert harm in a high-risk situation, such as stopping a car before it hits a pedestrian or installing traffic lights at dangerous intersections.

secondary prevention:

A characteristic of preoperational thought whereby a young child thinks that nothing changes. Whatever is now has always been and always will be.

static reasoning:

The concept that an object or word can stand for something else, including something pretend or something not seen. Once symbolic thought is possible, language becomes much more useful.

symbolic thought:

Actions, such as immediate and effective medical treatment, that are taken after an adverse event (such as illness, injury, or abuse) occurs and that are aimed at reducing the harm or preventing disability.

tertiary prevention:

A person's theory of what other people might be thinking. In order to have a theory of mind, children must realize that other people are not necessarily thinking the same thoughts that they themselves are. That realization is seldom achieved before age 4.

theory of mind:

The idea that children attempt to explain everything they see and hear.

theory-theory:

Vygotsky's term for the skills—cognitive as well as physical—that a person can exercise only with assistance, not yet independently.

zone of proximal development (ZPD):