Deck 9: Seciton 1: Early Childhood: Cognitive Development

Question 1

Discuss the concept of language shift in bilingualism. What is it and how do young children exhibit it?

Answer 1

Language shift refers to the tendency of children to become more fluent in their new language than in the language spoken in their home. Some children exhibit a language shift by refusing to speak their first language, preferring the new language. This often occurs since young children are egocentric. They focus on immediate appearances and their own point of view; because parents often let their children know that they want them to learn the new language, the children respond by using the new language to the exclusion of the home language.

Question 2

Intensive early-childhood programs have been implemented in the United States. Give at least four examples of ways in which children benefit from early intervention (in the short term or the long term).

Answer 2

The benefits are most apparent for children 1) with the lowest family incomes, 2) those living in rural areas, and 3) those with disabilities. Early education's long-term benefits become most apparent when the children are in the third grade or older. Children from these programs 4) scored higher on math and reading achievement tests at age 10 than did other children from the same backgrounds, schools, and neighborhoods. They are also 5) less likely to be placed in special classes for slow or disruptive children or 6) to repeat a year of school than their peers. In adolescence, the children who had intensive preschool education 7) had higher career aspirations, 8) possessed a greater sense of achievement, and 9) were less likely to have been abused. As young adults, they were 10) more likely to attend college and 11) less likely to go to jail, and 12) more often working and paying taxes rather than being on welfare. 13) The greatest lifetime return came from boys from high-poverty neighborhoods in the Chicago preschool program, with a social benefit over the boys' lifetime more than 12 times the cost.

Question 3

Discuss the major differences between child-centered and teacher-directed early-childhood education programs. What does each type of program emphasize in its work with young children?

Answer 3

Child-centered programs are based on Piaget's theory that children will discover new ideas on their own, and Vygotsky's theory that children will learn best with guidance from other children and adults. These programs include a variety of opportunities for children to find their own interests and skills, including artistic, cognitive, and life-skills challenges. Montessori schools and Reggio schools are good examples of child-centered programs.
Teacher-directed programs are based on behaviorist theories that children who learn basic academic skills early will be more successful in school over the long run. Teacher-directed programs tend to be behavioral in their approach, structured on a basis of reward and punishment, and focused on school readiness. These programs include basic academic activities such as writing letters, sounding out words, and counting. Good behavior and adherence to routine are rewarded. Most preschool teachers, whether they are aware of it or not, run their classrooms in a teacher-centered way.

Question 4

Francesca is frustrated trying to learn to tie her shoelaces. According to Vygotsky, should the parents get involved, or should they let her try to master this task on her own? If they decide to get involved, what should her parents do?

Question 5

What is conservation? Describe an example of a conservation task, noting the initial presentation of the material, the transformation of the material, and the questions that children are asked. What is a preoperational child's response?

Question 6

Explain the concept of animism. Give two examples of how children demonstrate this concept.

Question 7

What is the current consensus about whether early childhood is a critical or a sensitive period for language learning? Have scientists changed their stance over the years?

Question 8

Explain what theory of mind is and indicate at what age it generally begins to develop. Discuss at least two factors that affect its development.

Question 9

Explain at least three main characteristics of preoperational thinking.

Question 10

Explain and discuss the process of fast-mapping and the related idea of logical extension. Give an example of each concept.

Question 11

Explain the difference between Piaget's concept of egocentrism and the concept of egocentrism as it is used in common language. Give an example of each of the two different usages.

Question 12

Describe at least three factors that underlie high-quality early education.