Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

What characterizes Piaget's model of child development?

1. Children learn by imitation only

2. Children's responses are based on environmental experiences

3. Learning occurs in isolation from peers

4. Intelligence is static and fixed

The correct answer is: Children's responses are based on environmental experiences

The correct answer highlights that children’s responses are deeply influenced by their environmental experiences, which aligns with Piaget's theory of cognitive development. According to Piaget, children actively construct their understanding of the world through interaction with their environments, moving through distinct stages of cognitive development. As they engage with their surroundings, children explore, manipulate objects, and engage with others, leading to the formation of knowledge and intellectual growth. Piaget emphasized that learning is a dynamic process where individuals adapt to their experiences, accommodating new information and assimilating it into their existing cognitive frameworks. This approach reflects a broader understanding of how children learn and develop intellectually, rather than merely copying what they see or learning in complete isolation. The other options fail to capture the essence of Piaget's model. For instance, the notion that children learn only by imitation does not encompass the active role they play in constructing knowledge. Similarly, suggesting that learning occurs in isolation contradicts Piaget's belief that social interactions are critical to cognitive development. The idea that intelligence is static also misrepresents Piaget's view, as he believed that intelligence evolves and grows through experience and interaction with the environment.