CDA Exam| 270 QUESTIONS| WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
Course
CDA
1 — Multiple choice (Knowledge)
Question: Which of the following best describes developmentally appropriate practice?
A. Activities that are identical for all children in a classroom.
B. Activities matched to children’s age, individual abilities, and cultural background.
C. Activities chosen by the teacher that prepare children for standardized testing.
D. Activities focused only on academic skills.
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmentally appropriate practice adapts to age-level norms, individual
differences, and cultural context. Options A, C, D are too rigid or narrow.
2 — Short answer (Understanding growth domains)
Question: List the four main domains of child development and give one observable behaviour
for each domain in a 3-year-old.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Physical (gross/fine motor): runs confidently or stacks 6–8 blocks — shows motor
control.
2. Cognitive: can complete simple puzzles or follows two-step directions — demonstrates
problem solving/attention.
3. Language/communication: uses 3–4 word sentences or asks “why?” — expressive
language growth.
4. Social-emotional: engages in parallel play or shows separation anxiety — peer
interaction and emotion regulation.
(Assessment requires observation of behaviours that map to the domain.)
3 — Scenario / Application (Safety & health)
Question: During snack time a toddler begins to choke on a grape. Outline immediate actions
the caregiver should take and one preventive practice to reduce choking risk.
Answer & Rationale:
Immediate actions: 1) Assess — can the child cough/speak? If coughing, encourage coughing; do
,not hit the back. 2) If airway blocked and child cannot breathe, perform age-appropriate
abdominal thrusts (or back blows/abdominal thrusts per local guidelines) and call emergency
services. 3) If child becomes unresponsive, start CPR and call emergency services.
Preventive practice: serve grapes cut lengthwise, avoid whole grapes/hard candies; supervise
meals and enforce seated eating.
Rationale: Quick airway assessment + correct first aid saves lives; prevention addresses common
choking hazards.
4 — Multiple choice (Guidance & discipline)
Question: Which response shows effective, developmentally appropriate guidance for a 4-year-
old who hit another child?
A. Send the child to stand in the corner for 20 minutes.
B. Physically reprimand the child to stop future hitting.
C. Calmly remove the child from the situation, help label feelings, and guide them to apologize
and choose an alternative.
D. Ignore the behaviour so it won’t be reinforced.
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C teaches emotion recognition, social skills, restitution and alternative
behaviour — consistent with positive guidance. A and B are punitive; D neglects safety and
learning.
5 — Short answer (Observation & assessment)
Question: You observe a 2-year-old who speaks only single words while peers are using short
phrases. Provide two possible next steps a caregiver should take.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Document behaviour with objective notes (examples, frequency, context).
2. Communicate with family — ask about home language, hearing concerns, milestones. If
concerns persist, refer for speech/hearing screening or early intervention.
Rationale: Observation + family collaboration + timely screening prevents missed
developmental delays.
6 — Multiple choice (Family relationships / cultural competence)
,Question: A parent uses disciplinary practices that conflict with the program’s behavior guidance
policy. The most professional way to handle this is to:
A. Require the parent to follow the program policy at home.
B. Exclude the child until the parent agrees.
C. Discuss concerns respectfully, explain program approaches, and seek a culturally respectful
agreement or plan.
D. Report the parent immediately to child protective services.
Answer: C
Rationale: Professional practice requires respectful communication, cultural sensitivity, and
collaboration to reach a safe plan. Reporting is only for suspected abuse/neglect; exclusion and
coercion are inappropriate.
7 — Short answer (Curriculum planning)
Question: Provide one learning objective and two activity ideas (with brief descriptions) for a
mixed-age preschool block area to support math and social skills.
Answer & Rationale:
Learning objective: Children will compare sizes and counts up to 10 using blocks and will
practice cooperative play.
Activity 1: “Build & Count Challenge” — pairs build towers of given heights (3, 5, 7 blocks),
then compare whose tower is taller/shorter.
Activity 2: “Block Store” — children role-play buying/selling blocks using counters to practice
counting, turn-taking, and negotiation.
Rationale: Objectives target number sense and social skills; activities are hands-on, scaffoldable,
and developmentally appropriate.
8 — Scenario / Professionalism
Question: A caregiver witnesses a colleague make a rude comment about a child’s family. What
are two appropriate professional responses?
Answer & Rationale:
1. Address the colleague privately and non-confrontationally: explain why the comment is
inappropriate, referencing program values and the impact on children.
2. If behaviour continues or is severe, report to supervisor following workplace policy and
document the incident.
, Rationale: Protecting children’s dignity and modeling respectful behaviour are
professional responsibilities; escalation follows policy.
9 — Short answer (Learning environment & inclusion)
Question: List three concrete changes to make a classroom more inclusive for a child with
limited mobility.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Rearrange furniture to provide wide, obstruction-free pathways and lower work surfaces.
2. Provide adaptive seating (e.g., supportive chair) and reachable storage for materials.
3. Offer alternative activity formats (e.g., tray-based tasks, sensory bins at accessible
heights) and peer buddies for assistance.
Rationale: Inclusion removes physical barriers, ensures access to materials, and fosters
participation.
10 — Multiple choice + explanation (Assessment & documentation)
Question: Which observation method is most appropriate to assess a child’s typical social play
over several days?
A. One-time checklist completed during circle time.
B. Running record written during several free-play sessions across days.
C. Standardized test administered once.
D. Anecdotal note written long after the event.
Answer: B
Rationale: Running records across multiple free-play sessions capture naturalistic, contextual
social interactions and frequency — giving reliable data. A one-time checklist or delayed
anecdote is limited; standardized tests seldom reveal everyday social play patterns.
11. Health and Nutrition
Question: Which meal combination best meets USDA guidelines for a balanced preschool
lunch?
A. Apple juice, crackers, candy bar
B. Chicken, rice, carrots, and milk
C. Fries, soda, hamburger
D. Yogurt, cookie, and water
Answer: B
COMPLETE SOLUTION
Course
CDA
1 — Multiple choice (Knowledge)
Question: Which of the following best describes developmentally appropriate practice?
A. Activities that are identical for all children in a classroom.
B. Activities matched to children’s age, individual abilities, and cultural background.
C. Activities chosen by the teacher that prepare children for standardized testing.
D. Activities focused only on academic skills.
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmentally appropriate practice adapts to age-level norms, individual
differences, and cultural context. Options A, C, D are too rigid or narrow.
2 — Short answer (Understanding growth domains)
Question: List the four main domains of child development and give one observable behaviour
for each domain in a 3-year-old.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Physical (gross/fine motor): runs confidently or stacks 6–8 blocks — shows motor
control.
2. Cognitive: can complete simple puzzles or follows two-step directions — demonstrates
problem solving/attention.
3. Language/communication: uses 3–4 word sentences or asks “why?” — expressive
language growth.
4. Social-emotional: engages in parallel play or shows separation anxiety — peer
interaction and emotion regulation.
(Assessment requires observation of behaviours that map to the domain.)
3 — Scenario / Application (Safety & health)
Question: During snack time a toddler begins to choke on a grape. Outline immediate actions
the caregiver should take and one preventive practice to reduce choking risk.
Answer & Rationale:
Immediate actions: 1) Assess — can the child cough/speak? If coughing, encourage coughing; do
,not hit the back. 2) If airway blocked and child cannot breathe, perform age-appropriate
abdominal thrusts (or back blows/abdominal thrusts per local guidelines) and call emergency
services. 3) If child becomes unresponsive, start CPR and call emergency services.
Preventive practice: serve grapes cut lengthwise, avoid whole grapes/hard candies; supervise
meals and enforce seated eating.
Rationale: Quick airway assessment + correct first aid saves lives; prevention addresses common
choking hazards.
4 — Multiple choice (Guidance & discipline)
Question: Which response shows effective, developmentally appropriate guidance for a 4-year-
old who hit another child?
A. Send the child to stand in the corner for 20 minutes.
B. Physically reprimand the child to stop future hitting.
C. Calmly remove the child from the situation, help label feelings, and guide them to apologize
and choose an alternative.
D. Ignore the behaviour so it won’t be reinforced.
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C teaches emotion recognition, social skills, restitution and alternative
behaviour — consistent with positive guidance. A and B are punitive; D neglects safety and
learning.
5 — Short answer (Observation & assessment)
Question: You observe a 2-year-old who speaks only single words while peers are using short
phrases. Provide two possible next steps a caregiver should take.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Document behaviour with objective notes (examples, frequency, context).
2. Communicate with family — ask about home language, hearing concerns, milestones. If
concerns persist, refer for speech/hearing screening or early intervention.
Rationale: Observation + family collaboration + timely screening prevents missed
developmental delays.
6 — Multiple choice (Family relationships / cultural competence)
,Question: A parent uses disciplinary practices that conflict with the program’s behavior guidance
policy. The most professional way to handle this is to:
A. Require the parent to follow the program policy at home.
B. Exclude the child until the parent agrees.
C. Discuss concerns respectfully, explain program approaches, and seek a culturally respectful
agreement or plan.
D. Report the parent immediately to child protective services.
Answer: C
Rationale: Professional practice requires respectful communication, cultural sensitivity, and
collaboration to reach a safe plan. Reporting is only for suspected abuse/neglect; exclusion and
coercion are inappropriate.
7 — Short answer (Curriculum planning)
Question: Provide one learning objective and two activity ideas (with brief descriptions) for a
mixed-age preschool block area to support math and social skills.
Answer & Rationale:
Learning objective: Children will compare sizes and counts up to 10 using blocks and will
practice cooperative play.
Activity 1: “Build & Count Challenge” — pairs build towers of given heights (3, 5, 7 blocks),
then compare whose tower is taller/shorter.
Activity 2: “Block Store” — children role-play buying/selling blocks using counters to practice
counting, turn-taking, and negotiation.
Rationale: Objectives target number sense and social skills; activities are hands-on, scaffoldable,
and developmentally appropriate.
8 — Scenario / Professionalism
Question: A caregiver witnesses a colleague make a rude comment about a child’s family. What
are two appropriate professional responses?
Answer & Rationale:
1. Address the colleague privately and non-confrontationally: explain why the comment is
inappropriate, referencing program values and the impact on children.
2. If behaviour continues or is severe, report to supervisor following workplace policy and
document the incident.
, Rationale: Protecting children’s dignity and modeling respectful behaviour are
professional responsibilities; escalation follows policy.
9 — Short answer (Learning environment & inclusion)
Question: List three concrete changes to make a classroom more inclusive for a child with
limited mobility.
Answer & Rationale:
1. Rearrange furniture to provide wide, obstruction-free pathways and lower work surfaces.
2. Provide adaptive seating (e.g., supportive chair) and reachable storage for materials.
3. Offer alternative activity formats (e.g., tray-based tasks, sensory bins at accessible
heights) and peer buddies for assistance.
Rationale: Inclusion removes physical barriers, ensures access to materials, and fosters
participation.
10 — Multiple choice + explanation (Assessment & documentation)
Question: Which observation method is most appropriate to assess a child’s typical social play
over several days?
A. One-time checklist completed during circle time.
B. Running record written during several free-play sessions across days.
C. Standardized test administered once.
D. Anecdotal note written long after the event.
Answer: B
Rationale: Running records across multiple free-play sessions capture naturalistic, contextual
social interactions and frequency — giving reliable data. A one-time checklist or delayed
anecdote is limited; standardized tests seldom reveal everyday social play patterns.
11. Health and Nutrition
Question: Which meal combination best meets USDA guidelines for a balanced preschool
lunch?
A. Apple juice, crackers, candy bar
B. Chicken, rice, carrots, and milk
C. Fries, soda, hamburger
D. Yogurt, cookie, and water
Answer: B
