FTCE Pre-K Prekindergarten PK-3 Practice Exam

What personal benefit can a young child gain from engaging in play?

1. Development of test-taking strategies

2. Enhancement of parental relationships

3. Ability to entertain themselves when alone

4. Improvement of visual processing skills

The correct answer is: Ability to entertain themselves when alone

Engaging in play offers young children the opportunity to develop the ability to entertain themselves when alone. This skill is crucial for fostering independence and self-reliance. When children play independently, they explore their environment, make choices, and use their creativity, which contributes to their emotional and cognitive development. By learning to occupy their own time, children can build confidence and a sense of agency, which are foundational for their overall growth. While the other options may have certain merits in specific contexts, they do not directly address the personal benefits of play as it pertains to a child's ability to engage independently with their surroundings and manage their own entertainment.