Which scenario best demonstrates inhibitory control in early childhood?

Which scenario best demonstrates inhibitory control in early childhood?

• A. A child blurts out an answer in class.
• B. A child waits to take the last cookie until given permission.
• C. A child runs to the door at the bell.
• D. A child yells for attention.

Answer: (B)

Inhibitory control is the ability to pause an immediate impulse and follow a rule or wait for the appropriate cue. In early childhood, this shows up as delaying a tempting action and resisting the urge to act until you’re told or it’s appropriate. Waiting to take the last cookie until given permission demonstrates this self-control: the child can suppress the impulse to grab it right away and act only after permission, aligning behavior with social rules. This contrasts with blurting out an answer, running to the door at the bell, or yelling for attention, all of which reflect acting on impulses rather than withholding them.

Inhibitory control is the ability to pause an immediate impulse and follow a rule or wait for the appropriate cue. In early childhood, this shows up as delaying a tempting action and resisting the urge to act until you’re told or it’s appropriate. Waiting to take the last cookie until given permission demonstrates this self-control: the child can suppress the impulse to grab it right away and act only after permission, aligning behavior with social rules. This contrasts with blurting out an answer, running to the door at the bell, or yelling for attention, all of which reflect acting on impulses rather than withholding them.