LATEST PRAXIS PRINCIPLES OF
LEARNING AND TEACHING (PLT) – EARLY
CHILDHOOD OFFERED BY ETS
CERTIFICATION EXAM | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES
1. A kindergarten teacher observes a student who
consistently struggles to share materials with peers
and frequently grabs toys from others. According to
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this
student is most likely experiencing difficulty in which
stage?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's initiative vs. guilt stage (ages 3-
6) is characterized by children asserting power and
control through directing play and social
interactions. Difficulty sharing and grabbing toys
,indicates challenges with developing initiative and
social cooperation.
2. A preschool teacher wants to create a classroom
environment that supports the development of
autonomy in her young students. Which of the
following strategies would be most consistent with
Erikson's theory?
A) Allowing children to choose between two snack
options
B) Praising children for completing tasks quickly
C) Assigning each child a specific seat for all
activities
D) Providing step-by-step instructions for every
activity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's autonomy vs. shame and doubt
stage (ages 1-3) emphasizes the need for children to
develop a sense of personal control and
independence. Offering choices supports this
developmental task.
,3. A teacher notices that a four-year-old child often
invents elaborate stories during play and assigns
roles to other children. This behavior is most
consistent with which of Piaget's stages of cognitive
development?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The preoperational stage (ages 2-7) is
characterized by symbolic thinking, make-believe
play, and egocentrism. Inventing stories and
assigning roles demonstrates the use of symbols and
imagination.
4. A first-grade teacher is planning a math lesson on
addition. According to Piaget's theory, which of the
following would be the most developmentally
appropriate activity for students in the concrete
operational stage?
, A) Solving abstract addition equations on a
worksheet
B) Using physical objects like blocks to combine
groups and count the total
C) Discussing the theoretical concept of addition as
combining sets
D) Memorizing addition facts through flashcards
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the concrete operational stage (ages 7-
11), children begin to think logically but still require
concrete objects and hands-on experiences to
understand abstract concepts. Manipulating
physical objects supports this developmental need.
5. A three-year-old child is playing with a ball and
repeatedly drops it from different heights, watching
it bounce each time. According to Piaget, this
behavior is an example of:
A) Assimilation
B) Accommodation
C) A circular reaction
D) Object permanence
LEARNING AND TEACHING (PLT) – EARLY
CHILDHOOD OFFERED BY ETS
CERTIFICATION EXAM | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES
1. A kindergarten teacher observes a student who
consistently struggles to share materials with peers
and frequently grabs toys from others. According to
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this
student is most likely experiencing difficulty in which
stage?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's initiative vs. guilt stage (ages 3-
6) is characterized by children asserting power and
control through directing play and social
interactions. Difficulty sharing and grabbing toys
,indicates challenges with developing initiative and
social cooperation.
2. A preschool teacher wants to create a classroom
environment that supports the development of
autonomy in her young students. Which of the
following strategies would be most consistent with
Erikson's theory?
A) Allowing children to choose between two snack
options
B) Praising children for completing tasks quickly
C) Assigning each child a specific seat for all
activities
D) Providing step-by-step instructions for every
activity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's autonomy vs. shame and doubt
stage (ages 1-3) emphasizes the need for children to
develop a sense of personal control and
independence. Offering choices supports this
developmental task.
,3. A teacher notices that a four-year-old child often
invents elaborate stories during play and assigns
roles to other children. This behavior is most
consistent with which of Piaget's stages of cognitive
development?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The preoperational stage (ages 2-7) is
characterized by symbolic thinking, make-believe
play, and egocentrism. Inventing stories and
assigning roles demonstrates the use of symbols and
imagination.
4. A first-grade teacher is planning a math lesson on
addition. According to Piaget's theory, which of the
following would be the most developmentally
appropriate activity for students in the concrete
operational stage?
, A) Solving abstract addition equations on a
worksheet
B) Using physical objects like blocks to combine
groups and count the total
C) Discussing the theoretical concept of addition as
combining sets
D) Memorizing addition facts through flashcards
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the concrete operational stage (ages 7-
11), children begin to think logically but still require
concrete objects and hands-on experiences to
understand abstract concepts. Manipulating
physical objects supports this developmental need.
5. A three-year-old child is playing with a ball and
repeatedly drops it from different heights, watching
it bounce each time. According to Piaget, this
behavior is an example of:
A) Assimilation
B) Accommodation
C) A circular reaction
D) Object permanence
