I believe in creating meaningful assignments that will resonate with my students growth and understanding of the socialization process. Each key assignment is scaffolded in a way to help create a vast understanding of child growth and development, and to help students better serve the children and families they work with.
Three Theory Application Assignments: The Theory Application Assignments provide students with the opportunity to observe and apply the child development theories they are learning in real-world settings. Students are encouraged to conduct informal observations in public environments, such as parks, community centers, or schools, where they can observe children ranging from infancy (2 months) to 19 years of age. By observing children's behaviors and interactions, students will be able to make connections between the developmental theories covered in the course and the real-world experiences of children. These assignments allow students to deepen their understanding of child development by seeing how theoretical concepts play out in diverse situations, while also sharpening their observational and analytical skills.
Early Childhood Observation Assignment: The Early Childhood Observation assignment requires students to observe and interview a preschool-age child to identify key characteristics of their development. Students will apply their knowledge of child development and major theoretical frameworks, with a particular focus on Piaget’s cognitive theory. Through this observation, students will analyze the child’s cognitive development, exploring how the child’s actions and language reflect stages of cognitive growth such as sensorimotor, preoperational, and concrete operational stages. Additionally, students will discuss the practical implications of Piaget’s theory, specifically how experience and learning contribute to the child’s cognitive development. This assignment encourages students to connect theory to real-life observations, deepening their understanding of how children think, learn, and process the world around them.
Child Development Report: The Child Development Report assignment encourages students to explore and analyze the various cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts that influence children's development. In this assignment, students will examine how these factors shape the growth and experiences of children, considering how cultural practices, economic resources, political policies, and historical events impact their physical, cognitive, and social development. By researching and reflecting on these contexts, students will gain a deeper understanding of the diverse environments children grow up in and how these influences can affect their opportunities, challenges, and overall well-being. This assignment helps students develop a well-rounded perspective on child development, preparing them to consider these external factors when working with children in any professional setting.