Which describes inadequate supervision?

• A. When a child is left alone beyond their development level or under care of someone who does not provide adequate supervision
• B. When a child is fed unhealthy food
• C. When a child watches too much TV
• D. When a child plays outside

Answer: (A)

Adequate supervision means keeping a child within sight and reach, with an adult who can respond quickly to safety needs and hazards appropriate to the child’s age and development. Inadequate supervision is precisely when a child is left alone beyond what their development level allows or is under the care of someone who does not provide proper supervision. This describes a real safety gap, where there’s insufficient monitoring to prevent harm or address the child’s needs as they arise. The other scenarios—giving unhealthy food, allowing too much screen time, or simply playing outside—don’t by themselves define the supervision level; they relate to nutrition, activity balance, or setting, rather than the essential presence and attentiveness of a supervising adult.