Ontario Early Childhood Educator Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is toxic stress, which is characterized by prolonged exposure to severe stressors, such as abuse or neglect, without adequate support to help the individual cope. Toxic stress can have significant, lasting effects on a child's development, including impacts on their physical health, brain development, and emotional well-being. It typically occurs when a person experiences prolonged adversity, which overwhelms their capacity to cope.

In contrast, acute stress refers to a short-term response to an immediate threat or challenge, while chronic stress is associated with ongoing, long-term stressors that persist over time. Normal stress might be described as typical, everyday stress that does not have negative long-term effects—something that individuals can usually manage and recover from without lasting impact. Toxic stress is specifically harmful due to the intensity and duration of the trauma experienced, differentiating it from other types of stress.