Which of the following statement is not correct?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The statement "The child (one year old) is growing very rapidly, learning to walk" is the one that is **not correct** (making it the correct answer choice) when compared to the established facts of child development. While a one-year-old is indeed making huge strides in motor development, such as learning to walk, the phrase "growing very rapidly" is inaccurate for this stage. The most rapid period of postnatal growth occurs during the first year of life (infancy, from birth to 12 months), where an infant typically triples their birth weight and increases their length by about 50%. After the first birthday, the child's growth rate dramatically slows down. They transition into the slower, more steady growth pattern of the toddler years, where weight gain and height increase are much less dramatic than in the preceding twelve months. Therefore, describing the growth rate at one year as "very rapid" is a factual error from a developmental science perspective.

The incorrect option is 1:
The statement "The young child of around one year will try to cling to the mother" is **correct** and is a classic developmental marker, making it an incorrect choice for this question. This behavior is rooted in the concept of *attachment* and is often called separation anxiety or stranger anxiety. According to attachment theory, by the time a child reaches 12 months, they have formed a strong, secure bond with their primary caregiver, typically the mother. This attachment leads to distress, expressed as clinging, crying, or seeking proximity, when the caregiver prepares to leave or when a stranger approaches. This clinging behavior is actually a sign of healthy emotional and social development, demonstrating that the child has successfully established a primary attachment figure. The child's increasing mobility at this age (crawling, cruising) also makes this clinging an active, voluntary behavior.

The incorrect option is 2:
The statement "The child (one year old) has no control over bladder and bowel movements" is **correct** in the context of developmental readiness, therefore it is an incorrect option for this MCQ. Bladder and bowel control, which is the precursor to toilet training, is a process that relies heavily on both physiological and neurological maturation. Specifically, it requires the myelination of nerve pathways from the brain to the sphincter muscles and the physical ability to sense a full bladder or rectum. This level of physical and neurological readiness does not typically occur until well after the first birthday, usually starting around 18 months and extending through 2.5 to 3 years of age. A one-year-old child's body is not biologically ready for conscious control over these functions, making the statement factually accurate.

The incorrect option is 3:
The statement "The young child (one year old) also begins to recognize other family members and people whom he or she meets regularly" is **correct**, reflecting an important cognitive and social milestone. This ability is largely related to the mastery of *object permanence*, which is typically achieved around this time. Once a child understands that objects and people continue to exist even when they are not seen, they can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces. This recognition is vital for their social navigation, allowing them to form secondary attachments to family members and caregivers, while often reacting with caution or shyness toward people they do not regularly encounter. The ability to recognize and differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals is a clear sign of growing social awareness and a developing memory system.