SAE PK-3 Developmental Knowledge

What is Jean Piaget best known for?

Cognitive development theory—children actively construct knowledge as they interact with their environment.

What are Piaget's four stages of cognitive development?

Sensorimotor (0–2), Preoperational (2–7), Concrete Operational (7–11), Formal Operational (11+).

What happens during Piaget's sensorimotor stage?

Infants learn through their senses and physical actions; object permanence develops.

What is object permanence?

Understanding that an object still exists even when it cannot be seen.

By approximately what age is object permanence functionally established?

Around 24 months (2 years).

What are major characteristics of Piaget's preoperational stage?

Symbolic thinking, language development, pretend play, egocentrism, and difficulty with conservation.

What are major characteristics of Piaget's concrete operational stage?

Logical thinking about concrete objects/events, conservation, classification, and reversibility.

What happens during Piaget's formal operational stage?

Abstract, hypothetical, and logical thinking develops.

What is Friedrich Froebel best known for?

Creating the kindergarten concept and emphasizing play and active learning.

What does "kindergarten" mean?

"Children's garden."

How did Froebel compare children to plants?

Children naturally develop like plants, while educators nurture and guide them like gardeners.

What did Froebel believe children learn through?

Play, activity, exploration, and developmentally appropriate materials.

What is Maria Montessori best known for?

A child-centered educational approach emphasizing independence, hands-on materials, and a prepared environment.

What is a prepared environment?

A carefully designed classroom where children can independently explore and learn.

What is the teacher's role in Montessori education?

Guide and observer rather than constant direct instructor.

What type of materials are used in Montessori classrooms?

Hands-on, concrete, often self-correcting materials.

What theory is B.F. Skinner associated with?

Operant conditioning.

What is operant conditioning?

Behavior is shaped by its consequences, including reinforcement and punishment.

What does reinforcement do?

Increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur again.

What theory is Ivan Pavlov associated with?

Classical conditioning.

What is classical conditioning?

Learning through associations between stimuli.

What did Rousseau believe about children?

Children develop naturally and education should follow their natural development rather than force adult expectations on them.

What is John Dewey associated with?

Progressive education, learning by doing, and experiential education.

What does "learning by doing" mean?

Children learn through active experiences rather than passive memorization.

Piaget → ?

Cognitive development.

Skinner → ?

Operant conditioning.

Pavlov → ?

Classical conditioning.

Froebel → ?

Kindergarten/play.

Montessori → ?

Prepared environment/independence.

Dewey → ?

Learning by doing/progressive education.

Rousseau → ?

Natural development/child-centered education.

Sensorimotor = ?

0–2 years; learning through senses and actions.

Preoperational = ?

2–7 years; symbolic thinking, language, pretend play, egocentrism.

Concrete operational = ?

7–11 years; logical thinking about concrete objects/events and conservation.

Formal operational = ?

11+ years; abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

What is solitary play?

A child plays alone without interacting with other children.

What is onlooker play?

A child watches other children play but does not participate.

What is parallel play?

Children play beside each other but do not meaningfully interact.

What is associative play?

Children interact and may share materials but do not have a common organized goal.

What is cooperative play?

Children interact and work together toward a shared goal.

What is the progression from least to most social play?

Solitary → Onlooker → Parallel → Associative → Cooperative.

What is Reggio Emilia best known for?

The "hundred languages of children," child expression, exploration, and project-based learning.

What does "hundred languages of children" mean?

Children have many ways to express and represent their ideas, such as art, movement, music, language, and play.

What is the teacher's role in Reggio Emilia?

Collaborator, observer, and facilitator of children's investigations.

What is the primary goal of the Children's Defense Fund?

Advocacy for children and families.

What does NAEYC stand for?

National Association for the Education of Young Children.

What is NAEYC primarily associated with?

Promoting high-quality early childhood education and professional standards.

What does SECA stand for?

Southern Early Childhood Association.

What is SECA's focus?

Promoting quality care and education for young children and their families in the southern United States.

What does ACEI stand for?

Association for Childhood Education International.

What does ACEI focus on?

Improving education and well-being for children internationally.

What does CEC stand for?

Council for Exceptional Children.

What is CEC primarily associated with?

Education and advocacy for children and youth with exceptionalities and the professionals who serve them.

What does an achievement assessment measure?

What a student has already learned.

What does an aptitude assessment measure?

A student's potential or capacity to learn.

What is diagnostic assessment used for?

Identifying specific strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs.

What does a readiness assessment measure?

Whether a child is prepared for a particular learning task or experience.

What does curriculum-based assessment measure?

Student performance on skills directly taught in the curriculum.

What is an anecdotal record?

A brief, objective account of a specific observed incident.

What is a running record?

A continuous, detailed record of behavior during a particular period.

How can first-language literacy help English learners?

Literacy skills developed in the first language can transfer and support literacy development in English.

What is inventive spelling?

Children use their knowledge of sounds to spell words without necessarily using conventional spelling.

Why can inventive spelling benefit beginning ELLs?

It allows them to express ideas in writing without being blocked by unfamiliar English spelling conventions.

What should a teacher do before giving transition directions?

Gain students' attention.

Why should teachers warn young children before transitions?

Advance warning helps children prepare mentally and finish their current activity.

When should a teacher use targeted small-group instruction?

When a specific group of students needs additional instruction or reteaching.

What is one of the most important factors in effective co-teaching?

Adequate planning between teachers.

What does "nature" refer to?

Genetic and biological inheritance.

What does "nurture" refer to?

Environmental experiences, relationships, culture, and upbringing.

Approximately how many words might a typical 6-year-old know?

About 10,000 words.

What is a major pathway through which poverty affects children's development?

Family stress.

Why are language-rich environments important for young children?

Frequent conversation, reading, vocabulary exposure, and interaction support language and cognitive development.

What is the best way for a teacher to facilitate preschool pretend play?

Provide a variety of materials and allow children to use them creatively.

Should teachers control children's pretend-play storylines?

No. Teachers should provide materials and support children's child-directed play.

Piaget vs. Skinner?

Piaget = cognitive development; Skinner = operant conditioning.

Skinner vs. Pavlov?

Skinner = operant conditioning; Pavlov = classical conditioning.

Froebel vs. Montessori?

Froebel = kindergarten/play; Montessori = prepared environment/independence.

Montessori vs. Reggio Emilia?

Montessori = prepared environment and independence; Reggio = hundred languages and collaborative investigation.

Parallel vs. associative play?

Parallel = beside each other with little interaction; associative = interacting but without a shared organized goal.

Associative vs. cooperative play?

Associative = interaction without a common goal; cooperative = working together toward a shared goal.

Achievement vs. aptitude?

Achievement = what you've learned; aptitude = potential to learn.

Diagnostic vs. readiness?

Diagnostic = identify learning needs; readiness = determine preparedness for learning.

Anecdotal vs. running record?

Anecdotal = brief account of one incident; running = continuous record over time.