These questions can be considered for use by organizations who have approved Play Nicely for educational credit. Also, anyone who cares for young children who would like to test their knowledge in the area of managing childhood aggression is welcome to use this assessment.
1. What is the best age range to start teaching children how not to hurt others?
a. 1-3 years
b. 4-5 years
c. 6-7 years
2. What is one of the best reasons to decrease aggressive behavior in the early years?
a. All young children have aggressive behavior in the early years
b. Most children learn to behave less aggressively by 3-7 years of age
c. Children who do not learn how to control aggression by 3-7 years of age are much more likely to be aggressive or violent as they grow older
3. What should children be taught to do if another child hits them?
a. hit back
b. walk away
c. firmly say "do not hit me", then tell a responsible adult
d. ignore the hit
4. In general, what should caregivers do if they did not witness an aggressive act and it is unclear who hit whom?
a. Spend as much time as it takes to find out who hit whom
b. Put both children in time-out
c. Spend time teaching both children why hurting others is wrong and what to do the next time they are hit
d. Try harder to witness the aggressive act next time
5. One of first things you should try when you see one child hits another is to:
a. Speak angrily to the child about not hitting
b. Take away a privilege
c. Ignore the behavior
d. Set the rule by saying, "no hitting"
6. Another one of first things you should try when one child hits another is to:
a. Say "no" to the child
b. Redirect the child's behavior
c. Place the child in time-out
d. Hold and give hugs to the child
7. In general, time out is a reasonable option to respond to aggressive behavior for children...
a. of all ages as an initial response
b. at least 3 years of age as an initial response
c. less than 3 years of age as an initial response
d. of all ages when other options have failed
e. at least 3 years of age when other options have failed
f. less than 3 years of age when other options have failed.
8. What should you do if your child sees violence on TV
a. Never let them watch any TV again
b. Make sure they never watch any violence on TV in the future
c. Limit watching TV to less than 2 hours
d. Tell them that in real life, people are hurt
9. Before you tell a child what to expect if they continue to be overly aggressive, think to yourself...
a. "Am I able and willing to follow through with what I am about to say"
b. "Am I able and willing to spank my child if they do not obey"
c. "Am I able to think of a harsher punishment that would work better"
10. You should respond the same way whether your child breaks a rule or a preference. a. True
b. False
11. Speaking to other caregivers (e.g. spouse) about how to respond to your children's aggressive behavior should usually be done with your children present:
a. True
b. False
12. Warning signs that should prompt you to obtain professional help include:
a. Frequent aggressive acts toward others, self, or pets
b. Never follows directions or listens
c. Does not seem attached. Rarely looks at you or touches you. Does not return to you in strange places
d. Frequently watches violence on TV or plays violent video games
e. all of the above
**Answers**
1.a: 1-3 years.
2.c: Children who do not learn how to control aggression by 3-7 years of age are much more likely to be aggressive or violent as they grow older.
3.c: Firmly say "do not hit me", then tell a responsible adult.
4.c: Spend time teaching both children why hurting others is wrong and what to do the next time they are hit.
5.d: Set the rule by saying, "no hitting"
6.b: Redirect the child's behavior.
7.e: at least 3 years of age when other options have failed.
8.d: Tell them that in real life, people are hurt.
9.a: "Am I able and willing to follow through with what I am about to say".
10.b: False
11.b: False
12.e: all of the above
Explanations to questions and many other important concepts related to how to manage aggression in young children are described in the 30-minute Play Nicely CD ROM.
