FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What term best describes a child's ability to understand that changing the form of a substance does not change its overall volume?

1. Digital Transformation

2. Object Permanence

3. Conservation

4. Schema Modification

The correct answer is: Conservation

The term that best describes a child's ability to understand that changing the form of a substance does not change its overall volume is conservation. This concept, introduced by psychologist Jean Piaget, is a key achievement in cognitive development, particularly during the concrete operational stage. For instance, when a child sees a ball of clay being flattened into a pancake shape, they may initially think that the amount of clay has decreased. However, once they understand conservation, they will recognize that the total volume of clay remains unchanged, regardless of its shape. This cognitive milestone reflects a deeper understanding of physical properties and is critical for children's reasoning as they mature. In contrast, the other terms do not pertain to this specific understanding. Digital Transformation refers to changes in business operations through the integration of digital technology. Object Permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, which is an earlier developmental milestone. Schema Modification involves changing one’s mental frameworks in response to new information but does not specifically relate to understanding volume as conservation does.