HDFS 210 Exam 2 Practice Questions Multiple Choice with Answers & Rationales
Part 1: Physical Development in Early Childhood (Preschool Years) - Questions 1-
30
1. The greatest physical risk that preschoolers face comes from __________.
A. Infectious diseases
B. Genetic disorders
C. Accidents
D. Malnutrition
Answer: C. Accidents
Rationale: Unintentional injuries (accidents) are the leading cause of death and
disability in preschool-aged children. Their curiosity, limited judgment, and
developing motor skills make them vulnerable to falls, drowning, burns, and
poisoning .
2. As children grow, the two halves of the brain become increasingly
differentiated and specialized in a process called __________.
A. Myelination
B. Lateralization
,C. Synaptic pruning
D. Neurogenesis
Answer: B. Lateralization
Rationale: Lateralization refers to the specialization of the left and right cerebral
hemispheres for different functions. The left hemisphere typically specializes in
language and logic, while the right hemisphere specializes in spatial perception
and emotion .
3. Which of the following statements about brain development is true?
A. Brain growth is complete by age 2
B. Electrical activity decreases during rapid development
C. Electrical activity increases during times of rapid development
D. The brain stops changing after age 5
Answer: C. Electrical activity increases during times of rapid development
,Rationale: During periods of rapid brain development (such as early childhood),
there is increased electrical activity (EEG) as synapses form and neural pathways
strengthen. This reflects the brain's heightened plasticity .
4. Preschool-age boys typically excel sooner at ________, while girls typically
excel sooner at __________.
A. Balancing on one foot; throwing a ball
B. Throwing a ball; balancing on one foot
C. Drawing; running
D. Running; drawing
Answer: B. Throwing a ball; balancing on one foot
Rationale: Research shows that preschool boys tend to develop gross motor skills
requiring force and power (like throwing) earlier, while girls tend to develop gross
motor skills requiring balance and coordination (like hopping on one foot) earlier .
5. By the end of the preschool years, most children show __________, which is a
clear preference for using one hand over the other.
A. Lateralization
B. Handedness
, C. Ambidexterity
D. Cross-dominance
Answer: B. Handedness
Rationale: Handedness (preference for right or left hand) typically emerges by age
4-5. Approximately 90% of people are right-handed, reflecting the left
hemisphere's dominance for motor control .
6. Jumping, hopping on one foot, skipping, and running are examples of
__________.
A. Fine motor skills
B. Gross motor skills
C. Reflexive movements
D. Primitive reflexes
Answer: B. Gross motor skills
Part 1: Physical Development in Early Childhood (Preschool Years) - Questions 1-
30
1. The greatest physical risk that preschoolers face comes from __________.
A. Infectious diseases
B. Genetic disorders
C. Accidents
D. Malnutrition
Answer: C. Accidents
Rationale: Unintentional injuries (accidents) are the leading cause of death and
disability in preschool-aged children. Their curiosity, limited judgment, and
developing motor skills make them vulnerable to falls, drowning, burns, and
poisoning .
2. As children grow, the two halves of the brain become increasingly
differentiated and specialized in a process called __________.
A. Myelination
B. Lateralization
,C. Synaptic pruning
D. Neurogenesis
Answer: B. Lateralization
Rationale: Lateralization refers to the specialization of the left and right cerebral
hemispheres for different functions. The left hemisphere typically specializes in
language and logic, while the right hemisphere specializes in spatial perception
and emotion .
3. Which of the following statements about brain development is true?
A. Brain growth is complete by age 2
B. Electrical activity decreases during rapid development
C. Electrical activity increases during times of rapid development
D. The brain stops changing after age 5
Answer: C. Electrical activity increases during times of rapid development
,Rationale: During periods of rapid brain development (such as early childhood),
there is increased electrical activity (EEG) as synapses form and neural pathways
strengthen. This reflects the brain's heightened plasticity .
4. Preschool-age boys typically excel sooner at ________, while girls typically
excel sooner at __________.
A. Balancing on one foot; throwing a ball
B. Throwing a ball; balancing on one foot
C. Drawing; running
D. Running; drawing
Answer: B. Throwing a ball; balancing on one foot
Rationale: Research shows that preschool boys tend to develop gross motor skills
requiring force and power (like throwing) earlier, while girls tend to develop gross
motor skills requiring balance and coordination (like hopping on one foot) earlier .
5. By the end of the preschool years, most children show __________, which is a
clear preference for using one hand over the other.
A. Lateralization
B. Handedness
, C. Ambidexterity
D. Cross-dominance
Answer: B. Handedness
Rationale: Handedness (preference for right or left hand) typically emerges by age
4-5. Approximately 90% of people are right-handed, reflecting the left
hemisphere's dominance for motor control .
6. Jumping, hopping on one foot, skipping, and running are examples of
__________.
A. Fine motor skills
B. Gross motor skills
C. Reflexive movements
D. Primitive reflexes
Answer: B. Gross motor skills
