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Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Exam

7. Creative: practice questions

Our CDA exam bank has 16 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

A child shows you a painting. What is the best response?

  1. "Next time use different colors"
  2. "That's the best one in the class"
  3. "What is it supposed to be?"
  4. "Tell me about your painting" or describe the colors and lines you see
Show the answer

D. "Tell me about your painting" or describe the colors and lines you see — Describing and inviting the child to talk values the process and the child's own ideas.

Question 2

Why focus on the process of art rather than the finished product with young children?

  1. Exploring materials and making choices is where the learning happens
  2. Finished products are not allowed to go home, so only the process can be shared with families
  3. Parents prefer messy art
  4. It saves money on supplies
Show the answer

A. Exploring materials and making choices is where the learning happens — The Creative area values children exploring and expressing their individual creative abilities.

Question 3

Which music activity is appropriate for toddlers?

  1. Singing simple songs with actions and playing simple instruments
  2. Practicing scales on a piano
  3. Sitting silently through a long recorded concert to learn to listen carefully
  4. Learning to read sheet music
Show the answer

A. Singing simple songs with actions and playing simple instruments — Music and movement experiences matched to age are part of the Creative area.

Question 4

Which activity lets children explore music from different cultures?

  1. Only playing one radio station
  2. Listening and moving to music from children's families and many traditions
  3. Avoiding songs in other languages
  4. Only singing the songs the teacher knew as a child, so everyone learns the same ones
Show the answer

B. Listening and moving to music from children's families and many traditions — Including families' music respects cultural identity and enriches creative experiences.

Question 5

Which is the best way to introduce a new art material such as clay?

  1. Let children explore it freely before suggesting any projects
  2. Let only the oldest children touch it
  3. Show a finished model and ask every child to make one that looks the same
  4. Use it only for a holiday craft
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A. Let children explore it freely before suggesting any projects — Open exploration of materials comes first in creative experiences.

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