What internal ability is demonstrated by a child who moves from building blocks to playing in a sandbox after several failures?

The internal ability demonstrated by a child who moves from building blocks to playing in a sandbox after several failures reflects the capacity for regulating emotional responses. When a child experiences failure in one activity, their choice to shift to another activity—like moving to a sandbox—indicates a level of emotional resilience and adaptability. This ability allows the child to manage frustration or disappointment from not succeeding with the building blocks. Instead of becoming discouraged, the child maintains a positive attitude and seeks new opportunities for play and exploration, exhibiting emotional regulation in the face of challenges.

The other options, while related to development, do not capture the specific internal process at play in this scenario as accurately. Social adaptability pertains to how a child interacts with peers, imitative play refers to mimicking others during play, and enhanced problem-solving skills relate to finding solutions within the context of a task. The core aspect here, however, is the ability to manage one’s emotions and adjust to new circumstances, which is central to emotional regulation.