CDA 2026 Mock Exam Questions And
Answers (50 CDA Questions with 100%
Verified A+ Graded Answers and
Explanations) 2026 UPDATE
Question one.
A child care provider notices a toddler repeatedly hitting other children during playtime. What is
the most appropriate initial response from the provider?
A. Immediately send the toddler to a timeout corner.
B. Physically restrain the toddler and tell them no hitting.
C. Get down to the child's level. Gently intervene and help the child find an alternative activity.
D. Ignore the behavior, assuming the child will eventually stop on their own.
Answer C. Get down to the child's level, gently intervene, and help the child find an
alternative activity.
This question tests understanding of positive guidance strategies for toddlers. The key is to
respond calmly and proactively, focusing on teaching rather than immediate punishment.
Getting to the child's level shows respect and helps deescalate the situation while redirecting to
an alternative activity teaches appropriate play. For example, if a child hits a friend while
reaching for a toy, the provider can gently take their hand, say, "We use gentle hands," and
offer another toy or suggest taking turns. A good way to remember this is that positive guidance
is about teaching and redirecting, not just stopping unwanted behavior.
Question two.
When preparing to administer medication to a child in a child care setting, which of the following
is the most critical step?
A. Checking the child's health history for allergies to various foods.
B. Ensuring the medication is stored in an unlocked cabinet for easy access.
C. Verifying the medication label matches the child's name, dosage, and time, and having
parental consent.
D. Administering the medication without gloves to ensure a better grip.
Answer C. Verifying the medication label matches the child's name, dosage, and time and
having parental consent.
This question focuses on essential safety procedures for medication administration in child care.
The critical step involves a five rights check. right child, right medication, right dose, right route,
and right time, coupled with required parental consent. This meticulous verification prevents
potentially dangerous errors and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. For
instance, before giving a child prescribed allergy medicine, the provider must confirm it's the
correct child, the correct medicine, the exact dosage, and at the right time as documented by
,parents. Always remember that careful verification and parental permission are paramount to
child safety when giving medication.
Question three,
what is the primary purpose of a daily health check for children in a child care program?
A to assess each child's academic progress for the day.
B to identify any signs of illness or injury that could impact the child or others.
C to determine if a child has brought their lunch from home.
D to record the child's attendance for billing purposes.
Answer B. To identify any signs of illness or injury that could impact the child or others.
This question addresses the fundamental importance of daily health checks in maintaining a
safe and healthy child care environment. The primary purpose is to quickly observe each child
for any visible signs of illness such as a rash or fever or injury like a scrape that might require
attention or indicate they should not be in care. Early detection helps prevent the spread of
illness and ensures children receive prompt care if needed. For example, noticing a child has a
significant cough during the daily check allows the provider to contact parents and prevent other
children from getting sick. Remember, daily health checks are crucial for protecting the well-
being of all children in the program.
Question four.
A child care provider is observing a preschooler who is having difficulty sharing toys with peers.
Which strategy best promotes the child's social emotional development in this situation?
A. Remove the child from the play area until they are ready to share.
B. Model sharing behavior by sharing materials with other adults in front of the child.
C. Label the child as selfish to encourage them to change their behavior.
D. Sit with the child and their peers gently facilitating turntaking and verbalizing feelings.
Answer D. Sit with the child and their peers gently facilitating turntaking and verbalizing
feelings.
This question explores effective methods for promoting social emotional development
specifically in the context of learning to share. The most effective approach involves direct
gentle guidance during the interaction helping the child understand and practice the desired
behavior. Facilitating turn taking and giving words to feelings like you really want to play with
that toy and your friend wants a turn too helps build empathy and social skills. For instance, if
two children both want a truck, the provider can say, "It looks like you both want the truck."
Sarah, maybe you can have it for two more minutes. And then Mark will get a turn. This hands-
on support is far more effective than isolation or shaming.
Question five,
why is it important for child care providers to establish predictable routines for young children?
A. to ensure children always take a nap at the same time.
B to limit opportunities for spontaneous play and exploration.
C to create a sense of security and help children anticipate what comes next.
, D to allow providers more flexibility in their daily schedule.
Answer C. To create a sense of security and help children anticipate what comes next.
This question highlights a fundamental benefit of structured environments for young children.
Predictable routines provide a sense of order and security, helping children feel safe and in
control because they know what to expect throughout the day. This reduces anxiety and makes
transitions smoother, which is especially beneficial for toddlers and preschoolers. For example,
knowing that story time always comes after snack time helps a child mentally prepare and feel
comfortable with the daily flow. Remember, consistent routines build confidence and
independence in young learners.
Question six.
A parent expresses concern that their infant is not yet crawling at 10 months old while other
babies in the program are. What is the most appropriate response from the child care provider?
A suggest that the parent immediately seek medical intervention.
B reassure the parent that developmental milestones vary and suggest they discuss it with their
pediatrician.
C. Tell the parent to encourage the infant by standing them up frequently.
D. Provide the parent with exercises to force the infant to crawl.
Answer. B. Reassure the parent that developmental milestones vary and suggests they
discuss it with their pediatrician.
This question addresses how providers should respond to parental concerns about
developmental milestones. It's crucial for providers to acknowledge that children develop at their
own pace and there is a wide range of normal for achieving milestones. While providers observe
development, it is not their role to diagnose or prescribe intervention. Instead, they should offer
reassurance and empower parents to consult with medical professionals who can provide
expert advice. For instance, explaining that some babies scoot or walk before crawling and then
suggesting a conversation with their doctor is a supportive and professional response. Always
remember to emphasize individual differences in development and refer medical concerns to
pediatricians.
Question seven.
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question that encourages a child's
critical thinking and language development?
A. Is this block red?
B. What color is this block?
C. Tell me about what you are building with these blocks.
D. Do you like playing with blocks?
Answer. C. Tell me about what you are building with these blocks.
This question tests the understanding of open-ended questions which are vital for fostering
children's cognitive and language skills. An open-ended question cannot be answered with a
simple yes or no or a single word. It prompts children to think more deeply, organize their
Answers (50 CDA Questions with 100%
Verified A+ Graded Answers and
Explanations) 2026 UPDATE
Question one.
A child care provider notices a toddler repeatedly hitting other children during playtime. What is
the most appropriate initial response from the provider?
A. Immediately send the toddler to a timeout corner.
B. Physically restrain the toddler and tell them no hitting.
C. Get down to the child's level. Gently intervene and help the child find an alternative activity.
D. Ignore the behavior, assuming the child will eventually stop on their own.
Answer C. Get down to the child's level, gently intervene, and help the child find an
alternative activity.
This question tests understanding of positive guidance strategies for toddlers. The key is to
respond calmly and proactively, focusing on teaching rather than immediate punishment.
Getting to the child's level shows respect and helps deescalate the situation while redirecting to
an alternative activity teaches appropriate play. For example, if a child hits a friend while
reaching for a toy, the provider can gently take their hand, say, "We use gentle hands," and
offer another toy or suggest taking turns. A good way to remember this is that positive guidance
is about teaching and redirecting, not just stopping unwanted behavior.
Question two.
When preparing to administer medication to a child in a child care setting, which of the following
is the most critical step?
A. Checking the child's health history for allergies to various foods.
B. Ensuring the medication is stored in an unlocked cabinet for easy access.
C. Verifying the medication label matches the child's name, dosage, and time, and having
parental consent.
D. Administering the medication without gloves to ensure a better grip.
Answer C. Verifying the medication label matches the child's name, dosage, and time and
having parental consent.
This question focuses on essential safety procedures for medication administration in child care.
The critical step involves a five rights check. right child, right medication, right dose, right route,
and right time, coupled with required parental consent. This meticulous verification prevents
potentially dangerous errors and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. For
instance, before giving a child prescribed allergy medicine, the provider must confirm it's the
correct child, the correct medicine, the exact dosage, and at the right time as documented by
,parents. Always remember that careful verification and parental permission are paramount to
child safety when giving medication.
Question three,
what is the primary purpose of a daily health check for children in a child care program?
A to assess each child's academic progress for the day.
B to identify any signs of illness or injury that could impact the child or others.
C to determine if a child has brought their lunch from home.
D to record the child's attendance for billing purposes.
Answer B. To identify any signs of illness or injury that could impact the child or others.
This question addresses the fundamental importance of daily health checks in maintaining a
safe and healthy child care environment. The primary purpose is to quickly observe each child
for any visible signs of illness such as a rash or fever or injury like a scrape that might require
attention or indicate they should not be in care. Early detection helps prevent the spread of
illness and ensures children receive prompt care if needed. For example, noticing a child has a
significant cough during the daily check allows the provider to contact parents and prevent other
children from getting sick. Remember, daily health checks are crucial for protecting the well-
being of all children in the program.
Question four.
A child care provider is observing a preschooler who is having difficulty sharing toys with peers.
Which strategy best promotes the child's social emotional development in this situation?
A. Remove the child from the play area until they are ready to share.
B. Model sharing behavior by sharing materials with other adults in front of the child.
C. Label the child as selfish to encourage them to change their behavior.
D. Sit with the child and their peers gently facilitating turntaking and verbalizing feelings.
Answer D. Sit with the child and their peers gently facilitating turntaking and verbalizing
feelings.
This question explores effective methods for promoting social emotional development
specifically in the context of learning to share. The most effective approach involves direct
gentle guidance during the interaction helping the child understand and practice the desired
behavior. Facilitating turn taking and giving words to feelings like you really want to play with
that toy and your friend wants a turn too helps build empathy and social skills. For instance, if
two children both want a truck, the provider can say, "It looks like you both want the truck."
Sarah, maybe you can have it for two more minutes. And then Mark will get a turn. This hands-
on support is far more effective than isolation or shaming.
Question five,
why is it important for child care providers to establish predictable routines for young children?
A. to ensure children always take a nap at the same time.
B to limit opportunities for spontaneous play and exploration.
C to create a sense of security and help children anticipate what comes next.
, D to allow providers more flexibility in their daily schedule.
Answer C. To create a sense of security and help children anticipate what comes next.
This question highlights a fundamental benefit of structured environments for young children.
Predictable routines provide a sense of order and security, helping children feel safe and in
control because they know what to expect throughout the day. This reduces anxiety and makes
transitions smoother, which is especially beneficial for toddlers and preschoolers. For example,
knowing that story time always comes after snack time helps a child mentally prepare and feel
comfortable with the daily flow. Remember, consistent routines build confidence and
independence in young learners.
Question six.
A parent expresses concern that their infant is not yet crawling at 10 months old while other
babies in the program are. What is the most appropriate response from the child care provider?
A suggest that the parent immediately seek medical intervention.
B reassure the parent that developmental milestones vary and suggest they discuss it with their
pediatrician.
C. Tell the parent to encourage the infant by standing them up frequently.
D. Provide the parent with exercises to force the infant to crawl.
Answer. B. Reassure the parent that developmental milestones vary and suggests they
discuss it with their pediatrician.
This question addresses how providers should respond to parental concerns about
developmental milestones. It's crucial for providers to acknowledge that children develop at their
own pace and there is a wide range of normal for achieving milestones. While providers observe
development, it is not their role to diagnose or prescribe intervention. Instead, they should offer
reassurance and empower parents to consult with medical professionals who can provide
expert advice. For instance, explaining that some babies scoot or walk before crawling and then
suggesting a conversation with their doctor is a supportive and professional response. Always
remember to emphasize individual differences in development and refer medical concerns to
pediatricians.
Question seven.
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question that encourages a child's
critical thinking and language development?
A. Is this block red?
B. What color is this block?
C. Tell me about what you are building with these blocks.
D. Do you like playing with blocks?
Answer. C. Tell me about what you are building with these blocks.
This question tests the understanding of open-ended questions which are vital for fostering
children's cognitive and language skills. An open-ended question cannot be answered with a
simple yes or no or a single word. It prompts children to think more deeply, organize their
