Child Development Associate (CDA)
PRACTICE TEST 2025/2026 | ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXAM
1. Children develop holistically. This means they develop:
A) One skill at a time
B) At the same rate
C) As a whole
D) Only physically first
Correct Answer: C) As a whole
Rationale: Holistic development means that physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
growth happens concurrently and is interconnected .
2. The process of learning to read begins at:
A) Birth
B) Preschool
C) Kindergarten
D) First grade
Correct Answer: A) Birth
Rationale: Language and literacy development begins in infancy through interaction,
listening, and early exposure to books and words .
3. Which activity most directly supports gross-motor development in a preschool
classroom?
A) Threading beads onto a string
B) Jumping from a low platform to a mat
C) Completing a simple puzzle
D) Listening to a story about animals
Correct Answer: B) Jumping from a low platform to a mat
Rationale: Jumping challenges large muscle groups and improves balance and
coordination, which are key gross motor skills .
4. When supervising toddlers on an outdoor playground, the most appropriate
adult-to-child ratio is:
,A) 1:5
B) 1:8
C) 1:12
D) 1:20
Correct Answer: A) 1:5
Rationale: Younger children require closer supervision; a 1:5 ratio meets most state
regulations for toddlers .
5. Frequent handwashing is important because:
A) It helps children learn to follow directions.
B) It keeps germs from spreading.
C) It is a state licensing requirement.
D) It keeps children's hands soft and moisturized.
Correct Answer: B) It keeps germs from spreading.
Rationale: Proper and frequent handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent
the spread of infectious diseases in a childcare setting .
6. The first aid kit should be kept:
A) In the restroom for easy access to water.
B) In an easily accessible location, clearly marked, and out of reach of children.
C) In the kitchen, where most accidents happen.
D) Locked in the director's office.
Correct Answer: B) In an easily accessible location, clearly marked, and out of
reach of children.
Rationale: A first aid kit must be quickly accessible to staff in an emergency but safely
stored away from children .
7. Which of the following best describes an open-ended question?
A) "What color is that block?"
B) "What shall we build with these blocks?"
C) "How many blocks do you have?"
D) "Is that a tall tower?"
Correct Answer: B) "What shall we build with these blocks?"
Rationale: An open-ended question has no right or wrong answer and encourages creative
thinking and language use .
8. A child with a known peanut allergy begins coughing and wheezing during
snack time. The teacher should first:
A) Give the child a glass of water.
B) Administer the prescribed epinephrine auto-injector.
C) Call the child's parents for advice.
,D) Move the child to a quiet area and observe.
Correct Answer: B) Administer the prescribed epinephrine auto-injector.
Rationale: Immediate use of epinephrine is the correct emergency response for a severe
allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) .
9. The CDA Code of Ethics requires professionals to:
A) Prioritize personal convenience over children's needs.
B) Maintain confidentiality of families' private information.
C) Share children's health records with anyone who asks.
D) Use any discipline method they prefer.
Correct Answer: B) Maintain confidentiality of families' private information.
Rationale: Confidentiality protects families' privacy and is a core component of upholding
ethical standards in early childhood education .
10. The amount of adult supervision that is needed depends on:
A) The number of children in the group.
B) The activity.
C) The developmental needs of children who are present.
D) All of the above.
Correct Answer: D) All of the above.
Rationale: Effective supervision is dynamic and must be adjusted based on the group size,
the inherent risks of the activity, and the individual needs of the children .
11. Which of the following is an objective observation?
A) Sally was angry and knocked over Megan's block tower.
B) Sally is a very mean child.
C) Sally knocked over Megan's block tower.
D) Sally was trying to be funny when she knocked over the tower.
Correct Answer: C) Sally knocked over Megan's block tower.
Rationale: Objective observations are factual, describing only what is seen and heard
without including subjective opinions, judgments, or interpretations .
12. When arranging a classroom, a teacher should:
A) Put related activities near each other.
B) Keep quiet and noisy activities together.
C) Place all furniture along the walls.
D) Fill all open spaces with furniture.
Correct Answer: A) Put related activities near each other.
Rationale: Placing related learning centers (e.g., blocks next to vehicles, art near a sink)
supports children's engagement and helps them make connections in their learning .
, 13. Which of the following is an example of developmentally appropriate practice
(DAP)?
A) Requiring all 3-year-olds to write their names independently
B) Using the same lesson plan for all children regardless of ability
C) Planning activities that match the age and individual needs of each child
D) Keeping children seated for 45-minute circle time
Correct Answer: C) Planning activities that match the age and individual needs of
each child
Rationale: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), as defined by NAEYC, means
tailoring teaching to meet children where they are—both as a group and as individuals—
while ensuring activities are suitable for their age and developmental stage.
14. A toddler is having a temper tantrum because another child took their toy.
What is the most appropriate teacher response?
A) Place the child in time-out for 10 minutes
B) Ignore the tantrum until the child stops
C) Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them use words to express frustration
D) Give the child a new toy immediately to stop the crying
Correct Answer: C) Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them use words to
express frustration
Rationale: Temper tantrums are a normal part of toddler development due to limited
language skills. Validating feelings and teaching emotional vocabulary supports social-
emotional development and self-regulation.
15. What is the primary purpose of conducting regular fire drills in a childcare
setting?
PRACTICE TEST 2025/2026 | ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXAM
1. Children develop holistically. This means they develop:
A) One skill at a time
B) At the same rate
C) As a whole
D) Only physically first
Correct Answer: C) As a whole
Rationale: Holistic development means that physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
growth happens concurrently and is interconnected .
2. The process of learning to read begins at:
A) Birth
B) Preschool
C) Kindergarten
D) First grade
Correct Answer: A) Birth
Rationale: Language and literacy development begins in infancy through interaction,
listening, and early exposure to books and words .
3. Which activity most directly supports gross-motor development in a preschool
classroom?
A) Threading beads onto a string
B) Jumping from a low platform to a mat
C) Completing a simple puzzle
D) Listening to a story about animals
Correct Answer: B) Jumping from a low platform to a mat
Rationale: Jumping challenges large muscle groups and improves balance and
coordination, which are key gross motor skills .
4. When supervising toddlers on an outdoor playground, the most appropriate
adult-to-child ratio is:
,A) 1:5
B) 1:8
C) 1:12
D) 1:20
Correct Answer: A) 1:5
Rationale: Younger children require closer supervision; a 1:5 ratio meets most state
regulations for toddlers .
5. Frequent handwashing is important because:
A) It helps children learn to follow directions.
B) It keeps germs from spreading.
C) It is a state licensing requirement.
D) It keeps children's hands soft and moisturized.
Correct Answer: B) It keeps germs from spreading.
Rationale: Proper and frequent handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent
the spread of infectious diseases in a childcare setting .
6. The first aid kit should be kept:
A) In the restroom for easy access to water.
B) In an easily accessible location, clearly marked, and out of reach of children.
C) In the kitchen, where most accidents happen.
D) Locked in the director's office.
Correct Answer: B) In an easily accessible location, clearly marked, and out of
reach of children.
Rationale: A first aid kit must be quickly accessible to staff in an emergency but safely
stored away from children .
7. Which of the following best describes an open-ended question?
A) "What color is that block?"
B) "What shall we build with these blocks?"
C) "How many blocks do you have?"
D) "Is that a tall tower?"
Correct Answer: B) "What shall we build with these blocks?"
Rationale: An open-ended question has no right or wrong answer and encourages creative
thinking and language use .
8. A child with a known peanut allergy begins coughing and wheezing during
snack time. The teacher should first:
A) Give the child a glass of water.
B) Administer the prescribed epinephrine auto-injector.
C) Call the child's parents for advice.
,D) Move the child to a quiet area and observe.
Correct Answer: B) Administer the prescribed epinephrine auto-injector.
Rationale: Immediate use of epinephrine is the correct emergency response for a severe
allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) .
9. The CDA Code of Ethics requires professionals to:
A) Prioritize personal convenience over children's needs.
B) Maintain confidentiality of families' private information.
C) Share children's health records with anyone who asks.
D) Use any discipline method they prefer.
Correct Answer: B) Maintain confidentiality of families' private information.
Rationale: Confidentiality protects families' privacy and is a core component of upholding
ethical standards in early childhood education .
10. The amount of adult supervision that is needed depends on:
A) The number of children in the group.
B) The activity.
C) The developmental needs of children who are present.
D) All of the above.
Correct Answer: D) All of the above.
Rationale: Effective supervision is dynamic and must be adjusted based on the group size,
the inherent risks of the activity, and the individual needs of the children .
11. Which of the following is an objective observation?
A) Sally was angry and knocked over Megan's block tower.
B) Sally is a very mean child.
C) Sally knocked over Megan's block tower.
D) Sally was trying to be funny when she knocked over the tower.
Correct Answer: C) Sally knocked over Megan's block tower.
Rationale: Objective observations are factual, describing only what is seen and heard
without including subjective opinions, judgments, or interpretations .
12. When arranging a classroom, a teacher should:
A) Put related activities near each other.
B) Keep quiet and noisy activities together.
C) Place all furniture along the walls.
D) Fill all open spaces with furniture.
Correct Answer: A) Put related activities near each other.
Rationale: Placing related learning centers (e.g., blocks next to vehicles, art near a sink)
supports children's engagement and helps them make connections in their learning .
, 13. Which of the following is an example of developmentally appropriate practice
(DAP)?
A) Requiring all 3-year-olds to write their names independently
B) Using the same lesson plan for all children regardless of ability
C) Planning activities that match the age and individual needs of each child
D) Keeping children seated for 45-minute circle time
Correct Answer: C) Planning activities that match the age and individual needs of
each child
Rationale: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), as defined by NAEYC, means
tailoring teaching to meet children where they are—both as a group and as individuals—
while ensuring activities are suitable for their age and developmental stage.
14. A toddler is having a temper tantrum because another child took their toy.
What is the most appropriate teacher response?
A) Place the child in time-out for 10 minutes
B) Ignore the tantrum until the child stops
C) Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them use words to express frustration
D) Give the child a new toy immediately to stop the crying
Correct Answer: C) Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them use words to
express frustration
Rationale: Temper tantrums are a normal part of toddler development due to limited
language skills. Validating feelings and teaching emotional vocabulary supports social-
emotional development and self-regulation.
15. What is the primary purpose of conducting regular fire drills in a childcare
setting?
