Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Special Education Practice Exam

What type of skills might an eight-year-old typically demonstrate in storytelling?

1. Basic vocabulary

2. Cause-and-effect relationships

3. Exclusively imaginative play

4. Advanced mathematical reasoning

The correct answer is: Cause-and-effect relationships

An eight-year-old typically shows an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in storytelling. This age group begins to grasp how one event can lead to another, allowing them to construct more coherent narratives. They can express why certain events happen in their stories, demonstrating an understanding of the motivations of characters and the consequences of their actions. This skill enhances their storytelling by adding depth and meaning, making their narratives more engaging and relatable. Basic vocabulary is also present, but it is not the primary skill associated with storytelling at this age. While it plays a role, the ability to weave together events in a cause-and-effect manner is a more complex cognitive development milestone that enhances storytelling. Exclusively imaginative play is often seen in younger children and does not reflect the narrative sophistication typically found in eight-year-olds. By this age, storytelling encompasses more structured thought and reasoning rather than solely relying on imagination. Advanced mathematical reasoning is not relevant to storytelling skills. While children are developing mathematical concepts around this age, storytelling focuses on language and narrative skills rather than mathematical abilities.