Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

At what age do children develop language skills and learn to play cooperatively?

1. School-age (ages 6 to 10)

2. Toddler (ages 1 to 3)

3. Adolescent (ages 12 to 19)

4. Preschool (ages 3 to 6)

The correct answer is: Preschool (ages 3 to 6)

The development of language skills and cooperative play typically occurs during the preschool years, which span ages 3 to 6. During this stage, children experience significant growth in their language abilities, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings more clearly. They also begin to understand and engage in more complex social interactions, which include playing with peers rather than merely alongside them. Cooperative play is characterized by children working together, sharing, taking turns, and negotiating roles in games and activities. This type of play is essential for social development as it fosters communication skills, empathy, and the ability to resolve conflicts. The preschool period is crucial for laying the foundation for these skills, as children are increasingly able to articulate their ideas and collaborate with others in an imaginative play environment. In the earlier toddler stage, while children do start to communicate, their interaction is more about parallel play, where they play side by side without significant involvement with one another. As they progress into school-age, the focus shifts towards more structured educational activities, which may further enhance these skills, but the foundational language and cooperative play skills are most prominently developed during preschool years.