1. How does the physical growth of the school-age child compare with that of the younger child? What abilities emerge as a result of these changes?

2. How have children’s medical care and health habits changed over the past few decades?

3. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of physical play during middle childhood?

4. What are the short-term and long-term effects of childhood obesity?

5. What roles do nature and nurture play in childhood asthma?

6. Why did Piaget call cognition in middle childhood concrete operational thought?

7. According to Vygotsky, where and how does cognitive development occur?

8. Why does quicker reaction time improve the ability to learn?

9. How might a lack of selective attention affect a child’s ability to learn?

10. What aspects of memory improve markedly during middle childhood?

11. Why might having an extensive knowledge base make it easier for children to learn new, related information?

12. How might metacognitive skills help a student?

13. How is the understanding of vocabulary and metaphors affected by a child’s age?

14. Why would a child’s linguistic code be criticized by teachers but admired by friends?

15. How might a hidden curriculum affect how well a child learns in school?

16. What are two common international tests of achievement? Why are these tests given?

17. What gender differences are found in educational tests and school grades?

18. What is the difference between aptitude and achievement? Why might this difference be in theory only?

19. What are some of the differences in education policies across Canada?

20. What are the findings from the most recent PCAP?

21. What historical factors influence the implementation of Aboriginal education?

22. Why should education funding for Aboriginal students be equalized to that of other students in Canada?

23. Why might it be important for teachers to know about the theory of multiple intelligences?

24. In what ways might a child’s culture affect the results of an IQ test?

25. Why might a child with ADHD have difficulty learning?

26. What are the signs of bipolar disorder?

27. What are dyslexia and dyscalculia?

28. What are the signs of autism spectrum disorder?

29. Describe LRE and RTI. How might each of these strategies help students with special needs?

30. How and why might SES and ethnic group affect a child being designated as gifted?

31. Why might boards or governments choose not to separate gifted children or children with disabilities from other students?