CDA Practice Test #4 Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Program

Even though you work in the center, unless you are directly involved in the care of the child, you must refrain from discussing her personal details thus maintaining her confidentiality.

When you read a story to the children, have them find the letter of the week on each page and make the sound of the letter to promote phonological awareness.

As children develop and gain skills, their choices in classroom materials should grow and become more challenging to reflect that growth.

When professionals share observations, provide feedback, demonstrate practices, or provide evaluations for peers, they are collaborating in professional development. Formal education usually includes a degree which has been earned before employment (although education can continue). Credentialing involves a professional agency which sets standards or qualifications necessary for professional acknowledgement. On-the-job training can be conducted in conferences or presentations, with videos or live demonstrations, or with manuals, discussions, and tutorials.

When children are learning about letters and beginning letter sounds, a good activity to reinforce letter sounds is having children match letters beginners will match capital letters while more advanced learners can match the capital letter with the lower case letter.

If a child has a fever, there is a chance he is contagious. Help him get comfortable in a quiet place in the room or with another adult who can sit with him. Call his mother to let her know, since he has a fever, he needs to go home. He should not return to school until 24 hours after his temperature has returned to normal.

A downed tree limb is a safety hazard on your playground. The limb must be removed before the preschoolers can use the space safely.

You can do a lot in your classroom to best anticipate the behavioral and development needs of your preschoolers. Arranging the furniture in your room to prevent children from running from one end to the other will help them to control their impulse to run or move very fast.

If a parent suddenly changes their behavior toward you, it’s a good idea to gently make an effort to find out why. It could be a minor misunderstanding or it could be nothing at all, however, it’s always a great way to build trust to allow your parents to share their concerns with you.

All information should be kept confidential as required by regulations or policies of the care center. Information can be shared with specialists, such as doctors, with parental permission. Information can be shared with other care center personnel who may need this information to care for the child. It is inappropriate to share information with other parents or anyone outside of the organization or without parent permission.

Comments and suggestions will most likely come from peers, supervisors and parents during evaluations. Program volunteers are not usually included in professional evaluations. Comments and suggestions should be constructive and appropriate.

It is important to look at a variety of sources for input when developing a child's goals. Parents may see behaviors at home you do not see at school, however it is important to be aware of those behaviors. A standardized test can give you a broad picture but your daily observations will help you put an individualized spin on the results for each child.

The objective of any activity is to engage students in active learning. If the activity is not meeting those needs, it can be altered. For example, the activity might require skills beyond the developmental level of some members. Lan can assist those students with the more difficult parts or change the activity to make it more inclusive.

You must be able to see all your children all the time. There is no area of the room that is 'safe' for the children to be if you can't see them. If it’s not visible to you, you must make a change. You do not need to completely rearrange your room, just move anything that is blocking your view.

Children are very creative and most love the opportunity to use art and craft materials. Providing your students with a variety of ways they can create will allow each of them to develop at their own pace while enjoying new and favorite materials. Let the final product be theirs, not a colored sheet, but their own creation with their own design and outcome.

While many children do cry from time to time about going to school, if it is not typical behavior and Sally is saying she doesn't want to go to school, it is best to work with her mother to find the cause of Sally's anxiety. With small children, it can be something we, as adults, do not realize is causing them to be upset. Keeping a close eye on Sally's interactions and communicating with her mother will help you reduce Sally's stress and her mothers, too.

Steven is a student in your class who happens to have an IEP. He is still your student and you are still responsible for his education and emotional well being. His IEP goals should be part of your weekly planning however, he should not be set apart from other students in order to work on those goals. At this age, IEP goals are easy to incorporate into your lessons seamlessly, giving not just Steve, but all students a chance to practice or further develop a skill.

While it would be ideal to assure you have art, music and gross motor activities every day, it is plausible that some days the schedule will not allow for that, however, children will need to address their personal needs each day without fail. Time for eating, toileting, resting and putting on coats, sweaters, shoes or hats needs to be included in all scheduling.

Allowing students to work through difficult situations will help them to gain the skills to handle these situations better going forward. A child will often hit another child because s/he doesn't have the words to express himself. The more you can facilitate positive relationships, the better the learning experience will be for your students.

All of the choices would be acceptable ones for your unit, however, creating a play area where they could dress up and pretend to be doctors, nurses and patients would allow them to really become engaged and use imaginative play. Children learn by doing and any time you can create play opportunities for them you are helping them explore the world in a way that is meaningful to them.

Information about children, their families and individual educational plans should be kept confidential and discussed with discretion only with appropriate staff and support personnel. Strict confidentiality concerning the private issues of children and families should be maintained, except for the purposes of reporting instances or suspicions of neglect or abuse as required by the state or policies of the child care program.

The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards which help early child care professionals become qualified as teachers of young children. These include standards for health, safety, physical and intellectual competence, and maintaining positive social, emotional and productive relationships with children and their families.

Children develop their small motor skills by doing activities with their small muscles - puzzles require them to use their fingers to pick up small pieces which is a pre-writing skill. Giving them ample opportunities to use these muscles will help them develop valuable skills toward kindergarten readiness.

Communication between home and care center is vital. Working together, parents and caregivers can develop strategies which will make separation times easier for both children and adults. Parents and caregivers should share information about situations in which children feel either comfortable or stressed and plan to support each individual child. Open communication is an important part of child care. Each child will develop at different rates and in different ways so set standards and routines may not suit each individual child's needs.

Each accreditation is applicable in different settings. CDA endorsements are center-based infant/toddler, center-based preschool, family child care, home visitor, bilingual, and special education. The candidate for endorsement can choose from any area in which she is currently serving or hopes to serve. Each endorsement has specific requirements which can include training and service hours. Health and safety standards can be included in any of the areas.

Section C Competency Standard I should include proof of completion of a first-aid course and a pediatric CPR course, a menu for one week, and a weekly plan of learning experiences. Certification in CPR or first-aid must be from a nationally recognized organization, such as the Red Cross. The CPR course must specify pediatric CPR.

It would be best to remove Harold from the scene, clean him up, and explain what happened. When he has calmed down, you might sit with both children so they understand what happened and what each could have done to prevent the accident and the reaction. In this situation, it would probably be inappropriate to send Harold for a time-out since he was reacting to an unsettling situation, not deliberately misbehaving.

A good teacher helps children learn appropriate safety practices and does so in a safe and supportive manner. Providing children with the opportunity to learn what to do in an emergency will help them remain calm and feel more secure should a true emergency arise.

If it won't truly upset your week, be flexible and let these moms come in and do this cooking activity with the children. Think of all the great concepts they will cover! If it works out well, you can invite them back for Cinco de Mayo to further share their culture and traditions with your classroom.

Some parents love to plan events for their child's school and can, at times, become very attached to their idea even if others are not. While this can be a frustration, remember they truly just want to help. Forming a relationship with your parents and being able to discuss these things with them can save a lot of hurt feelings and allow for the focus to remain on the children and providing them with a positive experience.

When children use their large muscles they are engaging in Gross Motor activities. Children should be given the opportunity to use these muscles every day, both indoors and out.

sing this minor accident as a teachable moment, you can let the boys work out for themselves what happened and how they can avoid that in the future by following the safety rules you have established.

Books that offer children stories that reflect their lives help them to identify with the characters and begin to better develop a sense of self.

Since Michael is three, he is developmentally ready to begin to use the toilet, however, he may not be personally ready. Encourage him to try at appropriate times, such as before meals, before recess, after meals and during transitions. Do not focus on it, suggest it to him and let him make the decision. He will use the toilet when he is ready. Putting extra pressure on him could discourage him from trying.

As an educator, you should become comfortable with classroom observations, being able to informally observe your students regularly - meaning it should be part of your regular routine. You may observe one child counting higher than he has before and another who is starting to show signs of behavioral concerns at the same time.

Unfortunately, you will run into situations where parents talk about each other. The very best thing you can do, while staying professional and kind, is to stay out of it. You never want the parents of your students to think you are involved in gossip about them and you will lose their trust if they catch on that you are.

When reading a book to children, you want to engage them in the story. Make sure every child can see the pictures, speak clearly and use a tempo that goes with the story, use fun voices for different characters, use facial expressions and give them opportunities to predict what will happen next.

A baseball bat, even a plastic one, should be used outside. In an indoor confined area, like a classroom, there isn't enough room for the students to safely swing the bat. Many classrooms allow ride on toys inside, especially on days when outdoor play is not possible. It is important to set up classroom rules for using the bike inside.

All of the activities will help them talk about South Carolina, however, letting them drive a car on the map through the states will give them a hands on tangible experience and open up the discussion for the different states he will drive through, things he might see and what he might do to keep busy in the car. Leaving the map out will allow the students to explore and ask questions at their own pace.

Charlie is just a little boy and divorce is a grown up issue, one he can't possibly understand. A child's world is much smaller than our own, so to Charlie, who will be picking him up is a big deal, and he will worry if he's not sure. Doing whatever you can to assure that Charlie feels secure is an important part of being one of Charlie's caregivers. Make a special effort to assure Charlie each day he will get picked up and where he will be going after school. Using a picture chart and gentle reminders will help him during the day, as will working with the parents to confirm the plan daily and to share with them how Charlie is doing during this difficult time.

The best answer here is for them is to be easily accessible. In a true emergency, all staff should be able to access a child's contacts and know he or she is on any medicines, has any allergies and who his or her doctor is.

There will most likely always be a parent or parents you are not especially fond of, however, as a professional with the best interest of the children in mind, you must put aside your personal feelings and do your best to treat them with respect, never letting on how you feel.

Situations like this can be troubling. Take all necessary precautions. The affected child should not return until she is lice-free. The parents should certify this in some way. The child's name should not be made public to protect her privacy. Belongings should be separated.

Allowing a child and his family to visit your classroom prior to starting school will help them feel more comfortable, as will providing information such as what the child will need to bring from home, for example, a blanket for naptime or a healthy snack. If the child and his family are prepared for his first days, it will help ease that normal anxiety of facing a new situation

Two year olds are developing a lot of skills and it’s an exciting age to teach. While some two year olds MAY be starting to toilet train, it is not yet reasonable to expect them to use the potty alone or with accuracy. They can also sit in circle, but for very short periods of time, 20 minutes is too long for this age group. They are, however, going to love to be given the chance to color - and while you may not recognize what they are drawing - some two year olds will be able to tell you what they are drawing and will be extremely proud of their creation.

Teaching a traditional dance will allow students to explore another culture at the same time as they use their large muscles to dance and move.

Over your career as a teacher, you will most likely have several children in your classroom that will have issues that will be challenging. Your job is to teach each child to the best of your ability, getting assistance and parental cooperation when it is available and remaining respectful when it’s not.

Dramatic play gives the children a chance to safely experiment with a variety of props they may not be familiar with or have access to otherwise. Children will delight in trying on clothes and using props as part of their pretending.

Educators have an ethical responsibility to provide a curriculum which is culturally sensitive and without bias. Educators should respect the values, structure, language, customs and beliefs of the children and families they serve.

During your tenure as a teacher, many of your students will go through a variety of events in their personal lives. You must support them and help them work through it and model behaviors to help them best handle situations they might not have experience with.

Since the group is having a special reader, it would be rude for Ben to stay on the computer. The teacher should explain this to Ben, assure him that he will get his full turn, and escort him to the reading circle. Ben should not be embarrassed in front of the class for asserting his right to his computer time.

Socializing with your coworkers can be fun, but you must remember to keep your conversations neutral and professional when it comes to chatting about work related matters. Planning with the other teachers can help you and your team to assure you are all on the same page and the students are getting a comprehensive curriculum.

hen creating a center for the children to use, allow them to
be part of creating the details that will make it realistic to them. Making signs will help them
practice their writing skills and expose them to the written language and some practical
ways it is used.

It can be difficult for a parent to approach you about perceived issues with their child. It is important to make them feel heard and respected and to be sure they have helpful information regarding developmental milestones for preschoolers. You will always have parents who expect their child to far exceed what is typical for the age of the child or live up to an older sibling, however, being consistent in your message that children learn at their own pace will be a respectful and realistic way to interact with concerned parents.

When you notice an issue with a student, it is best to let the parents know in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way. There can be a variety of reasons their child is exhibiting unusual behaviors and by working with them to get to the root of the issue, you are, in the long run, providing the best care and support you can for that child.

The children have a shared experience and are excited to tell it. Allowing them to work together to create a class book that can be read again and again and shared with visitors will be a great literacy experience for the children.

Adult/Child ratios are determined by the age and number of students. Younger students require more adults and the more students you have, the more adults you will need.

children will delight in setting the table, serving themselves and clearing the table. They can pour their own milk or juice, too. You will have messes from time to time, but the skills gained are more valuable than the messes made.

Any time a child gets an injury at school, no matter how small, it is best practice to let their parents know. Parents will feel confident their child is being well cared for when they are informed of incidents that occur during their child's day. A note in the book bag will work, too, but a phone call is more personal and, as the teacher, you can assure the parent all is well and answer any questions they might have.

Snow is a wonder to children. While they are filling their bucket, you can ask them questions regarding their senses. Can they see it? Can they feel it? Describe how it feels. Inside, they can taste it (make sure it’s clean snow), they can try to hear it. You can use this same activity to have art, science and math. The kids will love using something so real and exciting as part of their play.

Kari should continue with the day's activities while waiting for her co-worker. She should not restrain the toddlers for extended periods or leave them unattended. She should inform her supervisors about the situation and let them take care of the co-worker. She should follow agency safety policies at all times.

Any time you can help children share their feelings, you are helping them learn to express themselves and to learn and experience empathy.

Having a child dictate a story or write it themselves helps them to develop their comprehension and language acquisition skills while sharing something important to them.

While it would be impossible to have EVERY culture represented, it is important to have a variety of materials available to your students. Posters and pictures hanging in the classroom, books with inviting pictures, music and musical instruments and clothes in your dress up area will help children explore and learn.

Food allergies can be life threatening. If you have a student in your class who has an allergy, you and your center staff must be sure that the allergy is posted prominently , that food is served only by authorized personnel and that all staff are aware of what to do in case the child comes in contact with her allergen.