Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Which behavior indicates a child understands one-to-one correspondence?

1. Sorting objects into categories

2. Counting a group of ten objects by touching each while saying its number aloud

3. Identifying colors of objects

4. Arranging objects from smallest to largest

The correct answer is: Counting a group of ten objects by touching each while saying its number aloud

The behavior that indicates a child understands one-to-one correspondence is counting a group of ten objects by touching each while saying its number aloud. This process shows that the child is able to match each object with a unique number, demonstrating an understanding of the concept that each number corresponds to one specific item in the set. This is a foundational skill in mathematics, particularly in understanding how quantities relate to numerical values. When a child touches each object while counting, they are not only practicing their counting skills but also reinforcing the concept that numbers represent exact quantities. This tactile and auditory method of counting helps children solidify their understanding of one-to-one correspondence, which is crucial for future mathematical learning and operations, such as addition and subtraction. Other behaviors listed, such as sorting objects into categories, identifying colors, or arranging objects from smallest to largest, do not directly demonstrate the ability to recognize one-to-one correspondence. Instead, these actions may indicate skills in classification, color recognition, or comparative size, which are also important developmental milestones but do not specifically relate to the concept of counting and correspondence.