1 A baby aged six months old can support herself on her arms while lifting her head and chest at the same time.
2 A baby of six months old can reach for and grab toys and rattles.
3 Jean Piaget based his theories on his work with children who had disabilities.
4 It is not necessary to consider the immediate environment when making observations and assessments of children.
5 A child of three years old will often talk to herself as a running commentary while she is playing.
6 A five-year-old can only hold a pencil in a palmer grasp.
ANSWERS
1 True. A baby of six months will support herself on her arms while lifting her head and chest at the same time. The baby is taking in her surroundings and has a better view by lifting herself up higher. By six months old the baby's muscle development, including head control, is sufficiently strengthened to allow this further mobility.
2 True. A baby of six months is developing greater hand-eye co-ordination, and her curiosity about her environment will encourage her to reach for and explore items of interest.
3 False. Jean Piaget considered his work as a natural development from his biological studies and used observations of his own children to contribute to his theories.
4 False. The immediate environment is influential in the way children behave and must be considered when undertaking observations and assessments.
5 True. Children three years old provide a fascinating commentary, often while playing on their own. They are beginning to communicate about past events as well as present activities, but may still muddle the two.
6 False. A five-year-old who has had the opportunity to use a range of writing and drawing equipment should have progressed to using a pincer grasp, with thumb and forefinger. Children of this age usually demonstrate a preferred hand and are beginning to copy a variety of writing characters.
