Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Avery demonstrating the ability to retrieve his ball hidden under a blanket indicates that he has started to understand object permanence. Object permanence is the concept that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. This milestone typically occurs around 8-12 months of age. The other choices are incorrect. Option A, the tertiary circular reaction, is related to Piaget's theory of sensorimotor development but does not specifically address object permanence. Reflexive schemes (Option B) refer to simple, reflex-like behaviors and are not directly linked to object permanence. Deferred imitation (Option D) involves the ability to imitate actions observed at an earlier time, which is a different developmental milestone compared to object permanence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In middle childhood, self-esteem becomes more differentiated and organized into a hierarchy based on various domains of competence. This period marks a time when children start to compare their abilities in different areas, such as academic performance, social skills, and physical abilities. Toddlerhood and preschool years are characterized by the development of basic self-awareness and self-concept, but self-esteem hierarchy typically emerges later in middle childhood and further solidifies in adolescence as individuals navigate complex social dynamics and personal identities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, when parents support a child's growing independence with guidance and reassurance, the child develops a sense of autonomy. Autonomy is characterized by a growing sense of self-control, confidence, and independence. Basic trust (choice A) is associated with the first stage of Erikson's theory (trust vs. mistrust) during infancy. Mistrust (choice B) arises when a child's basic needs are not met consistently, leading to a lack of trust in the world. Industry (choice D) is related to Erikson's later stages of development and involves competence and productivity in work and tasks.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Vision is the least-developed sense in newborn babies. While newborns can see, their vision is not as developed as their other senses at birth. Taste, sound, and touch are more developed senses in newborns compared to vision. Over time, through visual stimulation and experiences, a baby's vision gradually improves and develops.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: According to Jean Piaget, equilibrium is the balance between what children already know (internal structures) and the new information they encounter. Imitation (choice A) is not directly related to this concept. Adaptation (choice B) involves adjusting to new information and is part of Piaget's theory, but it does not specifically refer to the balance between internal structures and external information. Cognition (choice C) is a broader term that encompasses mental processes, including thinking, learning, and problem-solving, but it is not specifically about the balance between internal structures and external information as equilibrium is.