A preschool child is asked, “Why do trees have leaves?” Which response would be an example of animism?
A “Solcan have shade over my sandbox.”.
B “To hide behind when they are scared.”.
C “Because God made them that way.”.
D “For the squirrels to play in.”.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B: “To hide behind when they are scared.”
Explanation:
Animism is a developmental concept primarily observed in young children, typically between the ages of 2 and 7, as described by Jean Piaget in his theory of cognitive development. During the preoperational stage, children tend to attribute human-like qualities and emotions to inanimate objects and natural phenomena. This is known as animism.
In the context of the question, animism is demonstrated when a child assigns human traits or feelings to non-human entities. The response “To hide behind when they are scared” reflects this animistic thinking. The child attributes a human-like emotion (fear) to trees and assumes that they might use leaves as a form of protection, similar to how a human might use an object to hide when feeling scared. This attribution of human emotions to non-human entities is a hallmark of animism.
Let’s analyze the other options to understand why they do not exemplify animism:
- A: “So I can have shade over my sandbox.” This response is more practical and reflects a child’s understanding of the functional role of leaves in providing shade. It does not involve attributing human qualities or emotions to trees.
- C: “Because God made them that way.” This answer attributes the presence of leaves to a religious or spiritual explanation rather than animism. It does not involve assigning human-like characteristics to trees but rather attributes their existence to a higher power.
- D: “For the squirrels to play in.” This response acknowledges the role of leaves in the habitat of squirrels but does not attribute human emotions or characteristics to the trees themselves. It shows an understanding of the ecological role of leaves rather than animistic thinking.
In summary, animism is characterized by the attribution of human feelings or actions to non-human objects or entities. The response “To hide behind when they are scared” best fits this definition as it involves giving trees human-like emotions and behaviors.