Developmental Milestones
Most infants begin to walk independently around this age.
What is 12 months (or one year)?
This practice requires children to wash their hands before meals and after using the bathroom.
What is hand hygiene (or handwashing)?
This approach uses encouragement rather than punishment to guide children's behavior.
What is positive guidance (or positive discipline)?
This theorist is known for his stages of cognitive development, including sensorimotor and preoperational.
Who is Jean Piaget?
This organization publishes the Code of Ethical Conduct for early childhood educators.
What is NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)?
Children typically begin speaking in two-word phrases during this stage of language development.
What is 18-24 months (or toddlerhood)?
MyPlate recommends that half of a child's plate should be filled with these two food groups.
What are fruits and vegetables?
Learning centers should be arranged to create both active and calmer types of spaces.
What are quiet areas (or calm spaces)?
This psychologist emphasized the importance of social interaction and the Zone of Proximal Development.
Who is Lev Vygotsky?
Teachers must maintain this type of information about children and families, sharing only with authorized individuals.
What is confidentiality?
This milestone involves a child's ability to use scissors, hold a pencil, and button clothing.
What is fine motor development (or fine motor skills)?
This is the recommended adult-to-child ratio for infants in most licensed childcare centers.
What is 1:4 (or 1 adult to 4 infants)?
This strategy involves giving children choices within limits to promote autonomy and cooperation.
What is offering limited choices (or providing options)?
This theorist proposed eight stages of psychosocial development, including trust vs. mistrust in infancy.
Who is Erik Erikson?
Early childhood professionals are legally required to report suspected cases of this to authorities.
What is child abuse and neglect?
At this age, most children can hop on one foot, throw a ball overhand, and pedal a tricycle.
What is 3-4 years old (or preschool age)?
Children with this common allergy must avoid peanuts, tree nuts, and foods processed in facilities with nuts.
What is a nut allergy (or peanut allergy)?
This technique redirects a child to a different activity when behavior is inappropriate.
What is redirection?
This educator developed the prepared environment and believed children learn through sensory experiences.
Maria Montessori
This credential demonstrates an early childhood educator's commitment to professional development and competence.
What is the CDA (Child Development Associate) credential?
This cognitive milestone, typically emerging around age 4-5, is the understanding that others have different thoughts and feelings.
What is theory of mind?
This federal program provides reimbursement for nutritious meals served in childcare settings.
What is CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)?
This classroom management approach uses natural and logical outcomes to teach responsibility.
What are natural and logical consequences?
This theorist studied attachment and identified secure, avoidant, and ambivalent attachment styles.
Who is Mary Ainsworth?
This ethical principle requires teachers to respect cultural, linguistic, and ability differences in children and families.
What is diversity and inclusion (or cultural competence)?