DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY STUDYGUIDE EXAM
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is language? - Form of communication, whether spoken, written , or signed , based on system
of symbols
What is syntax? - Ways words are combined to form acceptable phrases and sentences (me goad to
the park) . Syntax good /grammar bad, syntax bad / grammar good
How does language develop in infancy - Babbling, gestures, and other vocalizations, crying present at
birth
When does cooing begin - 2-4 months of age
When does babbling begin and what is it - About 6 months of age, string of consonant sounds "da",
"ba"
What is not talking in infancy, but parents think it is - Babbling
When does gestures begin - 8-13 months of age "pick me up " , "I want " w/ arms
Asian child learns __ earlier than child learning English. - verbs
Infants recognize language sounds - Referential and expressive styles , overextension and under
extension of words
two word utterances - 18-24 months , telegraphic soeexh
What is telegraphic speech? - Least amount you can say and have it make sense
Vocabulary spurt - About 18-24 months the child goes through a dramatic increase in words ,about
50 words @ 18 months , 200 words @ age 2
Alphabetic Principle - Knowing that the letters have specific sounds and functions in your language
, Vocabulary and grammar - Process of categorizing becomes easier , from age 6-11 :14,000-40,000
words , improved logical reasoning & analytic skills
Development of metalinguistics awareness - Knowledge about language; improves considerably
during elementary school years -teenage years
In adolescence; most know rules for appropriate language use - Child with large vocabulary learns to
read easier , vocabulary development linked to comprehension and intelligence
whole language approach - Instruction to parallel child's natural language (sight words ), learning;
reading should be whole , meaningful
Basic skills and phonics approach - Instruction would teach phonics and its basic rules(sound out
words increase complexity of reading) , reading should involve simplified materials
Writing in middle and late childhood - 2-to-3-year-olds emerge from scribbling to begin printing
letters
Most ___ can print there names - 4 year olds
Most ___can reproduce (copy) letters - 5-year olds
In middle and late childhood reversals letters are ___ - Normal , adults should encourage early
writing
Years of practice needed for good writing - Linked to cognitive and language skills
Concerns about students' writing competence , grades 4-12 - About 70% are low-achieving in writing
Concerns about students' writing competence, high school grads - 50% not ready for college-level
writing
Good writing results from good teaching efforts - More you write better you get at it
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is language? - Form of communication, whether spoken, written , or signed , based on system
of symbols
What is syntax? - Ways words are combined to form acceptable phrases and sentences (me goad to
the park) . Syntax good /grammar bad, syntax bad / grammar good
How does language develop in infancy - Babbling, gestures, and other vocalizations, crying present at
birth
When does cooing begin - 2-4 months of age
When does babbling begin and what is it - About 6 months of age, string of consonant sounds "da",
"ba"
What is not talking in infancy, but parents think it is - Babbling
When does gestures begin - 8-13 months of age "pick me up " , "I want " w/ arms
Asian child learns __ earlier than child learning English. - verbs
Infants recognize language sounds - Referential and expressive styles , overextension and under
extension of words
two word utterances - 18-24 months , telegraphic soeexh
What is telegraphic speech? - Least amount you can say and have it make sense
Vocabulary spurt - About 18-24 months the child goes through a dramatic increase in words ,about
50 words @ 18 months , 200 words @ age 2
Alphabetic Principle - Knowing that the letters have specific sounds and functions in your language
, Vocabulary and grammar - Process of categorizing becomes easier , from age 6-11 :14,000-40,000
words , improved logical reasoning & analytic skills
Development of metalinguistics awareness - Knowledge about language; improves considerably
during elementary school years -teenage years
In adolescence; most know rules for appropriate language use - Child with large vocabulary learns to
read easier , vocabulary development linked to comprehension and intelligence
whole language approach - Instruction to parallel child's natural language (sight words ), learning;
reading should be whole , meaningful
Basic skills and phonics approach - Instruction would teach phonics and its basic rules(sound out
words increase complexity of reading) , reading should involve simplified materials
Writing in middle and late childhood - 2-to-3-year-olds emerge from scribbling to begin printing
letters
Most ___ can print there names - 4 year olds
Most ___can reproduce (copy) letters - 5-year olds
In middle and late childhood reversals letters are ___ - Normal , adults should encourage early
writing
Years of practice needed for good writing - Linked to cognitive and language skills
Concerns about students' writing competence , grades 4-12 - About 70% are low-achieving in writing
Concerns about students' writing competence, high school grads - 50% not ready for college-level
writing
Good writing results from good teaching efforts - More you write better you get at it
