FL DCF CHILD CARE PRESCHOOL
APPROPRIATE PRACTICES 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY DEVELOPMENTAL
GUIDELINES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
◉ According to Piaget, the Preoperational stage. Answer: is from
ages 2-7 and is most relevant to young children. During this stage,
young children learn about their world through their actions.
◉ Children at this age (2-7) and stage (Preoperational). Answer: -
Tend to think illogically, as they will begin to develop logic in the
next stage, concrete-operational.
-Their thinking process is non-sequential, such as not understanding
that a small puddle was once an ice cube.
-Are egocentric, meaning that they do not perceive the
consequences of their actions upon others.
-They are beginning to understand simple concepts, e.g., to classify
large and small stack-able plastic bowls or to understand the
sequence of their daily schedule.
◉ Piaget's theory explains. Answer: how children interact with their
environment to construct knowledge.
,◉ What are some ways you can implement developmentally
appropriate practice to support the growth of young children during
this stage?. Answer: Provide open-ended, hands-on activities so
children can progress through as they develop transformation
Ask open-ended questions that encourage children to explain their
thought process.
Provide a variety of activities that allow children to experience real
life events (field trips, guest speakers, show and tell).
Ask children about their own experience. For example: "Tell us about
your painting."
At story time ask the children about their favorite stories, and ask
the children what happens in the stories.
Provide children with the opportunity to make choices. For example:
"Which learning center would you like to play in today?"
◉ Erik Erikson. Answer: developed the theory that emotional
development occurs through 8 stages in a person's lifetime. He
proposes that individuals must go through each of the 8 stages in a
sequential order. Each stage presents a conflict that must be
resolved before a person can progress to the next stage.
◉ Erikson
(8 letters in last name, 8 stages/conflicts). Answer: proposes that
each conflict is best resolved during a specific stage of life. People
,who successfully resolve each conflict are better able to lead a
healthy, socially and emotionally connected life.
◉ Infant (Trust vs. Mistrust). Answer: Trust is developed over time
by providing an infant with a consistent, comforting environment.
When needs are met, trust is established.
Trust builds an emotional foundation.
A lack of trust can result in poor emotional stability
◉ Toddler (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt). Answer: Toddlers need
to explore their own bodies and environment in order to become
confident about themselves.
When autonomy is allowed, a person can become comfortable with
his/her choices.
A lack of autonomy can result in a feeling of shame or insecurity.
◉ Preschool (Initiative vs. Guilt). Answer: Four- or five-year olds
begin to develop an interest in exploring beyond themselves.
Children who are not allowed to pursue their natural curiosity will
be prone to feel guilt for their actions.
When initiative is encouraged, a person experiments within one's
environment.
A lack of encouragement for initiative can result in a feeling of guilt
for acting on one's natural curiosity.
, ◉ Grade School (Industry vs. Inferiority). Answer: Between the ages
of 6 to 12, children show the ability to develop competencies.
Children who are inhibited in developing these skills and abilities
will experience inferiority.
When children experience success, they attain a sense of adequacy
and pride.
A lack of industry can result in a feeling of low self-worth.
◉ High School (Identity vs. Role Confusion). Answer: Between the
ages of 12 to 18, children are attempting to define who they are and
where they are going.
When children are given the opportunity to develop their own ideas
and opinions, they can form their own identity.
A lack of identity will lead to confusion about who they are.
◉ Early Adult (Intimacy vs. Isolation). Answer: Between the ages of
18 to 35, young adults are exploring the development of
relationships.
Young adults need the opportunity to develop close relationships
with family, friends, and partners.
A lack of intimate relationships can lead to individuals feeling
isolated and alone.
APPROPRIATE PRACTICES 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY DEVELOPMENTAL
GUIDELINES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
◉ According to Piaget, the Preoperational stage. Answer: is from
ages 2-7 and is most relevant to young children. During this stage,
young children learn about their world through their actions.
◉ Children at this age (2-7) and stage (Preoperational). Answer: -
Tend to think illogically, as they will begin to develop logic in the
next stage, concrete-operational.
-Their thinking process is non-sequential, such as not understanding
that a small puddle was once an ice cube.
-Are egocentric, meaning that they do not perceive the
consequences of their actions upon others.
-They are beginning to understand simple concepts, e.g., to classify
large and small stack-able plastic bowls or to understand the
sequence of their daily schedule.
◉ Piaget's theory explains. Answer: how children interact with their
environment to construct knowledge.
,◉ What are some ways you can implement developmentally
appropriate practice to support the growth of young children during
this stage?. Answer: Provide open-ended, hands-on activities so
children can progress through as they develop transformation
Ask open-ended questions that encourage children to explain their
thought process.
Provide a variety of activities that allow children to experience real
life events (field trips, guest speakers, show and tell).
Ask children about their own experience. For example: "Tell us about
your painting."
At story time ask the children about their favorite stories, and ask
the children what happens in the stories.
Provide children with the opportunity to make choices. For example:
"Which learning center would you like to play in today?"
◉ Erik Erikson. Answer: developed the theory that emotional
development occurs through 8 stages in a person's lifetime. He
proposes that individuals must go through each of the 8 stages in a
sequential order. Each stage presents a conflict that must be
resolved before a person can progress to the next stage.
◉ Erikson
(8 letters in last name, 8 stages/conflicts). Answer: proposes that
each conflict is best resolved during a specific stage of life. People
,who successfully resolve each conflict are better able to lead a
healthy, socially and emotionally connected life.
◉ Infant (Trust vs. Mistrust). Answer: Trust is developed over time
by providing an infant with a consistent, comforting environment.
When needs are met, trust is established.
Trust builds an emotional foundation.
A lack of trust can result in poor emotional stability
◉ Toddler (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt). Answer: Toddlers need
to explore their own bodies and environment in order to become
confident about themselves.
When autonomy is allowed, a person can become comfortable with
his/her choices.
A lack of autonomy can result in a feeling of shame or insecurity.
◉ Preschool (Initiative vs. Guilt). Answer: Four- or five-year olds
begin to develop an interest in exploring beyond themselves.
Children who are not allowed to pursue their natural curiosity will
be prone to feel guilt for their actions.
When initiative is encouraged, a person experiments within one's
environment.
A lack of encouragement for initiative can result in a feeling of guilt
for acting on one's natural curiosity.
, ◉ Grade School (Industry vs. Inferiority). Answer: Between the ages
of 6 to 12, children show the ability to develop competencies.
Children who are inhibited in developing these skills and abilities
will experience inferiority.
When children experience success, they attain a sense of adequacy
and pride.
A lack of industry can result in a feeling of low self-worth.
◉ High School (Identity vs. Role Confusion). Answer: Between the
ages of 12 to 18, children are attempting to define who they are and
where they are going.
When children are given the opportunity to develop their own ideas
and opinions, they can form their own identity.
A lack of identity will lead to confusion about who they are.
◉ Early Adult (Intimacy vs. Isolation). Answer: Between the ages of
18 to 35, young adults are exploring the development of
relationships.
Young adults need the opportunity to develop close relationships
with family, friends, and partners.
A lack of intimate relationships can lead to individuals feeling
isolated and alone.
