Telling the child about adoption should occur before they enter school for what reason?

• A. To avoid the child remembering a time when they did not know.
• B. To ensure the child will never have questions.
• C. To prevent any emotional reactions.
• D. To guarantee they will always be grateful.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that sharing the child’s adoption story early helps prevent later confusion and distress by giving them a clear, honest understanding of their origins before school begins. When a child enters school and hears about families from peers, not knowing their own story can lead to feelings of secrecy, insecurity, or being different. Providing developmentally appropriate information beforehand builds trust, supports a stable sense of self, and makes ongoing questions easier to handle as they arise. It’s not realistic to expect that disclosure will prevent all questions or emotional reactions, and it doesn’t guarantee gratitude, but it does reduce the risk of a painful unknown becoming a source of worry later.