Practice: Constructs of childhood
Knowledge Check: Constructs of Childhood
Topic 1: Concept of Childhood & Its Importance
Q1: Which philosopher viewed the child’s mind as a “Tabula Rasa” (Blank Slate)?
A) Jean Jacques Rousseau
B) John Locke
C) Plato
D) John Dewey
Q2: According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a ‘child’ is defined as any human being below the age of:
A) 14 years
B) 16 years
C) 18 years
D) 21 years
Q3: Who is associated with the historical study “Centuries of Childhood,” arguing that childhood is a modern social construct?
A) Philippe Ariès
B) Lev Vygotsky
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Erik Erikson
Q4: Which period of childhood is often referred to as the “Plastic Period” of development?
A) Adolescence
B) Early Childhood
C) Late Childhood
D) Adulthood
Q5: The concept of childhood is best understood as:
A) A biological construct only
B) A social and cultural construct
C) A static phase across all societies
D) Determined solely by genetics
Q6: Which aspect is emphasized by Rousseau in his book ‘Emile’ regarding childhood?
A) Strict discipline
B) Formal schooling from age 3
C) Natural development and freedom
D) Religious indoctrination
Q7: Why are the first few years of life considered critical for development?
A) Children learn to read then
B) Rapid brain development and neural connections occur
C) Physical height is maximum
D) Social circle is largest
Q8: In the context of development, “Cephalocaudal” means growth proceeds from:
A) Center to periphery
B) Head to toe
C) Toe to head
D) General to specific
Q9: The Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 guarantees free and compulsory education for children of which age group?
A) 3 to 18 years
B) 6 to 14 years
C) 5 to 10 years
D) 0 to 6 years
Q10: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Early Childhood?
A) Toy Age
B) Pre-gang Age
C) Questioning Age
D) Gang Age
Topic 2: Commonalities & Diversities in Childhood
Q11: Which factor primarily creates diversity in the experience of childhood across the world?
A) Biological maturation
B) Socio-cultural context
C) Genetic code
D) Order of teeth eruption
Q12: A commonality in childhood across all cultures is the need for:
A) Formal schooling
B) Expensive toys
C) Emotional security and attachment
D) Learning English
Q13: How does poverty most significantly affect the notion of childhood?
A) It extends the period of play
B) It often shortens childhood due to early responsibility
C) It increases access to technology
D) It has no impact on development
Q14: In many tribal communities in India, learning primarily happens through:
A) Rigid textbook study
B) Online classes
C) Observation and participation in community work
D) Private tuition
Q15: The difference in play activities between boys and girls is largely a result of:
A) Hormonal differences only
B) Social conditioning and gender stereotyping
C) Difference in intelligence
D) Dietary habits
Q16: Which of these represents an urban-rural diversity in childhood in India?
A) The sequence of motor development
B) The need for nutrition
C) Exposure to nature vs exposure to gadgets
D) The age of puberty onset (biologically)
Q17: The idea of a “Universal Child” (one standard model of development) is criticized because:
A) It ignores cultural and contextual differences
B) It is too scientific
C) It focuses only on adults
D) It supports child labor
Q18: In terms of motor development, which is a commonality across all children?
A) Learning to cycle at age 4
B) Writing cursive at age 5
C) Gross motor skills develop before fine motor skills
D) Learning to swim naturally
Q19: Which environment typically fosters a “Collectivistic” view of childhood?
A) Traditional Indian Joint Families
B) Western Urban Nuclear Families
C) Boarding Schools
D) Online Communities
Q20: Language acquisition is universal, but the ________ differs.
A) Mechanism of the larynx
B) Specific language and vocabulary acquired
C) Need to communicate
D) Brain area used (Broca’s area)
Topic 3: Multiple Childhoods (Indian & Global)
Q21: The term “Multiple Childhoods” implies that:
A) Children have multiple personalities
B) There is no single, universal experience of being a child
C) A child lives many lives
D) Childhood is divided into many age stages
Q22: In the Indian context, “First Generation Learners” face specific challenges in childhood because:
A) They are less intelligent
B) They lack academic support at home
C) Schools do not admit them
D) They prefer playing over studying
Q23: Which social evil historically impacted the childhood of Dalit children in India?
A) Excessive pampering
B) Segregation and Untouchability
C) Mandatory boarding schools
D) Early marriage only
Q24: What is the primary focus of childhood in most Western, developed nations compared to developing nations?
A) Economic contribution to the family
B) Protected period of schooling and leisure
C) Early marriage
D) Learning farming skills
Q25: The “Burden of the School Bag” report (1993) by the Yashpal Committee highlighted which issue in Indian childhood?
A) Physical weight of bags and academic stress
B) Lack of books
C) Poor quality of bags
D) High fees
Q26: Which factor has created a “Digital Divide” in modern childhoods?
A) Number of libraries
B) Access to technology and internet
C) Types of sports played
D) Availability of television
Q27: In the context of the Girl Child in India, “Son Meta-preference” leads to:
A) Better health for girls
B) Neglect of girls in nutrition and education
C) Equal treatment
D) Matriarchal society
Q28: “Street Children” represents a childhood characterized by:
A) High academic achievement
B) Absence of family protection and shelter
C) excessive parental control
D) Rural agricultural life
Q29: Globalization has led to the phenomenon of “McDonaldization” of childhood, which means:
A) Children eating healthy food
B) Homogenization of children’s culture (same toys, cartoons, food globally)
C) Increasing height of children
D) Decrease in consumerism
Q30: The ‘Mid-Day Meal’ scheme in India primarily addresses which dual problem of childhood?
A) Obesity and Diabetes
B) Hunger/Malnutrition and School Enrollment
C) Teacher absenteeism and Salary
D) lack of play equipment
Topic 4: Role of Family & School in Socialization
Q31: Which of the following is considered the “Primary Agency” of socialization?
A) School
B) Media
C) Family
D) Government
Q32: John Dewey described the school as a:
A) Place for punishment
B) Miniature Society
C) Factory for workers
D) Religious center
Q33: What is the “Hidden Curriculum” in schools?
A) The syllabus printed in books
B) Unspoken norms, values, and behaviors learned in school
C) Sports activities
D) Examination schedule
Q34: During adolescence, which agent of socialization often becomes more influential than the family?
A) Peer Group
B) Religion
C) Grandparents
D) Books
Q35: Socialization is best defined as the process of:
A) Memorizing facts
B) Internalizing the norms, values, and beliefs of society
C) Learning to earn money
D) Physical growth
Q36: Which of these is a “Passive Agency” of socialization?
A) Family
B) Public Library
C) School
D) Peer Group
Q37: The process where a child learns the specific skills required for their future adult role (e.g., playing ‘house’ or ‘doctor’) is called:
A) Resocialization
B) Anticipatory Socialization
C) Negative Socialization
D) Desocialization
Q38: The triangle of home-school-community collaboration is essential because:
A) It reduces the teacher’s work
B) It ensures consistent reinforcement of values and learning
C) It saves money
D) It is a legal requirement
Q39: In the modern context, Mass Media is considered which type of socialization agent?
A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Insignificant
Q40: A teacher facilitates socialization in the classroom primarily by:
A) Giving corporal punishment
B) Encouraging cooperative learning and group activities
C) Ignoring student conflicts
D) Teaching only from the textbook
Topic 5: Parenting, Family & Adult-Child Relationships
Q41: According to John Bowlby, the strong emotional bond between an infant and caregiver is called:
A) Socialization
B) Attachment
C) Dependence
D) Imprinting
Q42: Which family structure is most common in rural India and provides a multi-generational support system?
A) Nuclear Family
B) Single-parent Family
C) Joint Family
D) Step-family
Q43: Sibling rivalry is best viewed as:
A) A sign of bad parenting
B) A natural part of learning conflict resolution
C) Harmful and to be punished always
D) Abnormal behavior
Q44: A “Secure Attachment” in infancy generally leads to what in adulthood?
A) Anxiety and mistrust
B) High self-esteem and healthy relationships
C) Dependency on others
D) Social isolation
Q45: The shift from Joint families to Nuclear families in cities has increased the need for:
A) Larger houses
B) Formal Creches and Daycare centers
C) More servants
D) Home schooling
Q46: “Helicopter Parenting” refers to:
A) Parents who are pilots
B) Over-protective parents who hover over every move of the child
C) Parents who travel a lot
D) Parents who are distant
Q47: The relationship between a teacher and a student should ideally be based on:
A) Fear and Authority
B) Mutual respect and trust
C) Complete friendship
D) Transactional exchange
Q48: What is the impact of “Parental Conflict” on a child?
A) It makes the child stronger
B) It causes emotional stress and behavioral problems
C) It has no effect
D) It improves academic performance
Q49: In adult-child relationships, “Empathy” means:
A) Giving the child gifts
B) Understanding and sharing the child’s feelings
C) Solving all problems for the child
D) Disciplining the child
Q50: The concept of “Quality Time” emphasizes:
A) Spending 24 hours with the child
B) Focused, attentive interaction regardless of duration
C) Buying expensive things
D) Watching TV together silently
Topic 6: Child Rearing Practices
Q51: Which parenting style is considered the most effective for positive child development (Diana Baumrind)?
A) Authoritarian
B) Permissive
C) Authoritative (Democratic)
D) Neglectful
Q52: Parents who say “Do it because I said so” and allow no questions are using which style?
A) Authoritative
B) Authoritarian
C) Permissive
D) Uninvolved
Q53: What is the likely outcome of “Permissive Parenting” (High warmth, low control)?
A) High self-control
B) Lack of self-discipline and entitlement
C) Fearful behavior
D) High academic success
Q54: Scaffolding, a concept by Vygotsky applied to child rearing, means:
A) Doing everything for the child
B) Providing temporary support until the child can do it alone
C) Building a house for the child
D) Leaving the child to struggle
Q55: Corporal punishment (physical beating) in schools and homes is:
A) Essential for discipline
B) Legally banned and psychologically harmful
C) Allowed in moderation
D) The best way to teach math
Q56: “Positive Reinforcement” in child rearing involves:
A) Scolding for bad behavior
B) Rewarding or praising good behavior to encourage repetition
C) Ignoring the child
D) Taking away toys
Q57: An “Uninvolved” or Neglectful parenting style is characterized by:
A) High demand, high response
B) Low demand, low response
C) Low demand, high response
D) High demand, low response
Q58: In traditional Indian child rearing, what is often valued more than individual independence?
A) Creative expression
B) Obedience to elders and family honor
C) Financial success
D) Travelling alone
Q59: The “Time-Out” technique is used to:
A) Reward a child
B) Calm a child down and remove attention from bad behavior
C) Let the child sleep
D) Increase play time
Q60: Effective child rearing requires consistency between:
A) Father and Mother (and other caregivers)
B) Home and Cinema
C) Morning and Night meals
D) Clothes and Shoes