Child Development Associate (CDA) Exam 105 Questions and
Correct Answers 2025/2026 Complete Study Guide
OVERVIEW
This exam prep covers key concepts in early childhood development and classroom
management, with a strong emphasis on guiding children’s social, emotional, and behavioral
growth. It explores how children learn through observation and play, including stages like
parallel and cooperative play, and highlights strategies for fostering positive behavior through
supportive relationships and consistent teaching practices. The material also focuses on effective
communication with families, building strong partnerships, and addressing concerns in a
respectful, collaborative way. In addition, it reinforces the importance of health and safety
standards, culturally responsive teaching, confidentiality, and developmentally appropriate
practices that support children’s overall well-being and learning.
At what age do toddlers start to imitate and learn from the activities of those around them?
Birth-8 Months
Birth-17 Months
18-36 Months
9-17 Months - correct answer -18-36 Months
To keep children safe, their materials should be _____________
Non toxic
Non flammable
Water based
All of the above - correct answer -All of the above
Guiding children toward appropriate behavior can be as simple as:
establishing positive relationships with each child.
planning with toys and materials, schedule, group times, and space.
acting in consistent positive ways with children.
helping children acquire social skills and self-regulation.
All of the above - correct answer -All of the above
,Children's play evolves in three stages: solitary play, parallel play, and cooperative play. When children
play alongside each other, each doing their own thing, it is called...
Social Play
Parallel Play
Imitation Play
Free Play - correct answer -Parallel Play
When children organize their own activities, assign roles, make up rules, assign specific tasks, and work
toward a common goal, their play is called...
Solitary Play
Parallel Play
Cooperative Play
Social Play - correct answer -Cooperative Play
When a very shy child is playing with a collection alone, the teacher could help the child feel secure,
while encouraging them to make friends by saying...
"Why don't you go find someone to play with?"
"Stop what you're doing and go play with Carla."
"I see you made an interesting design with the buttons. Would you like to show Carla what you did?"
"Why are you playing all alone. Don't you like the other children? - correct answer -"I see you made an
interesting design with the buttons. Would you like to show Carla what you did?"
Teachers can help children cope with their fears by taking their fears seriously and reassuring children
that they are safe.
True
False - correct answer -True
Using children's books is an excellent way to help children and families cope with stress.
True
, False - correct answer -True
Adam is playing with the toy drum and Matthew tries to take it from him, resulting in Adam hitting
Matthew. Both boys are very upset.
What should you do?
1.Call Adam's parents, he needs to go home if he is hitting other students
2.Send them both to time out for 30 minutes
3.Take the toy drum out of the room, it is causing too many fights
4.Help the boys tell each other why they are upset and talk them through how they can work this out. -
correct answer -4.Help the boys tell each other why they are upset and talk them through how they
can work this out.
Sally's mother tells you Sally has been crying about going to school for the past week and she's worried
that something has happened to make Sally not like school. This is not usual behavior for Sally. You're
not aware of anything that would cause her to feel that way.
What should you tell Sally's mother?
1.This is normal. All kids cry. Don't make a big deal out of it.
2.Tell her to keep Sally home until she feels better about coming to school. You don't want to force her
and you can't have a crying child all day.
3.Tell her you are not aware of anything that has happened but you will watch Sally closely over the next
few days and try to see if there is something unusual going on. Let her know you will get back to her.
4.Tell her to relax, Sally is fine once she gets to school. - correct answer -3.Tell her you are not aware of
anything that has happened but you will watch Sally closely over the next few days and try to see if
there is something unusual going on. Let her know you will get back to her.
Partnerships between families and teachers are extremely important in fostering children's
development. Teachers should:
Get to know a little about each family.
Communicate frequently to share information and offer a variety of ways for families to participate in
the program.
Correct Answers 2025/2026 Complete Study Guide
OVERVIEW
This exam prep covers key concepts in early childhood development and classroom
management, with a strong emphasis on guiding children’s social, emotional, and behavioral
growth. It explores how children learn through observation and play, including stages like
parallel and cooperative play, and highlights strategies for fostering positive behavior through
supportive relationships and consistent teaching practices. The material also focuses on effective
communication with families, building strong partnerships, and addressing concerns in a
respectful, collaborative way. In addition, it reinforces the importance of health and safety
standards, culturally responsive teaching, confidentiality, and developmentally appropriate
practices that support children’s overall well-being and learning.
At what age do toddlers start to imitate and learn from the activities of those around them?
Birth-8 Months
Birth-17 Months
18-36 Months
9-17 Months - correct answer -18-36 Months
To keep children safe, their materials should be _____________
Non toxic
Non flammable
Water based
All of the above - correct answer -All of the above
Guiding children toward appropriate behavior can be as simple as:
establishing positive relationships with each child.
planning with toys and materials, schedule, group times, and space.
acting in consistent positive ways with children.
helping children acquire social skills and self-regulation.
All of the above - correct answer -All of the above
,Children's play evolves in three stages: solitary play, parallel play, and cooperative play. When children
play alongside each other, each doing their own thing, it is called...
Social Play
Parallel Play
Imitation Play
Free Play - correct answer -Parallel Play
When children organize their own activities, assign roles, make up rules, assign specific tasks, and work
toward a common goal, their play is called...
Solitary Play
Parallel Play
Cooperative Play
Social Play - correct answer -Cooperative Play
When a very shy child is playing with a collection alone, the teacher could help the child feel secure,
while encouraging them to make friends by saying...
"Why don't you go find someone to play with?"
"Stop what you're doing and go play with Carla."
"I see you made an interesting design with the buttons. Would you like to show Carla what you did?"
"Why are you playing all alone. Don't you like the other children? - correct answer -"I see you made an
interesting design with the buttons. Would you like to show Carla what you did?"
Teachers can help children cope with their fears by taking their fears seriously and reassuring children
that they are safe.
True
False - correct answer -True
Using children's books is an excellent way to help children and families cope with stress.
True
, False - correct answer -True
Adam is playing with the toy drum and Matthew tries to take it from him, resulting in Adam hitting
Matthew. Both boys are very upset.
What should you do?
1.Call Adam's parents, he needs to go home if he is hitting other students
2.Send them both to time out for 30 minutes
3.Take the toy drum out of the room, it is causing too many fights
4.Help the boys tell each other why they are upset and talk them through how they can work this out. -
correct answer -4.Help the boys tell each other why they are upset and talk them through how they
can work this out.
Sally's mother tells you Sally has been crying about going to school for the past week and she's worried
that something has happened to make Sally not like school. This is not usual behavior for Sally. You're
not aware of anything that would cause her to feel that way.
What should you tell Sally's mother?
1.This is normal. All kids cry. Don't make a big deal out of it.
2.Tell her to keep Sally home until she feels better about coming to school. You don't want to force her
and you can't have a crying child all day.
3.Tell her you are not aware of anything that has happened but you will watch Sally closely over the next
few days and try to see if there is something unusual going on. Let her know you will get back to her.
4.Tell her to relax, Sally is fine once she gets to school. - correct answer -3.Tell her you are not aware of
anything that has happened but you will watch Sally closely over the next few days and try to see if
there is something unusual going on. Let her know you will get back to her.
Partnerships between families and teachers are extremely important in fostering children's
development. Teachers should:
Get to know a little about each family.
Communicate frequently to share information and offer a variety of ways for families to participate in
the program.
