Questions And Topics We Can Help You To Answer

We have covered a lot of different theoretical perspectives in this class and examined how they can be used to describe, explain, and predict developmental outcomes in many different areas of childhood.  This week we are going to wrap things up by taking some time to revisit the purposes of theories as well as the merits of research guided by the theories we have explore.  What have we learned?  Where do we go from here?  How can you use the information covered in this course as you move on to new classes, new careers, and new challenges?  These are some issues we are going to discuss in the final week of class!  
This week's learning objectives are:
•    Examine the criteria for evaluating theories and theory-driven research
•    Explore the application of theory in your own life and career
•    Engage the members in your Discussion Forum in conversations and activities related to these topics/issues
•    Reflect on your understanding and applications of the theories covered in this course as a whole

1. Read: Crain - Epilogue
To begin this week's lesson, read the brief epilogue in Crain's Theories of Development (pages 385-395).  As you are reading, think about what other practical applications and future directions are most needed in the field of child development.

2. Read: Article - Attached Files:
•    Fabes, Martin, Hanish, & Updegraff, 2000.pdf (131.39 KB)
As you move forward in your education and careers, you will undoubtedly come across more research on child development.  How can you evaluate the relevance and value of research?  Read the article below (written by faculty members in our very own Sanford School!) for a discussion of the criteria for evaluating the significance of developmental research.  As you are reading, consider whether there are other criteria that you might add to this list and how we can ensure to research is being used to improve outcomes in children's lives and wellbeing.

3. Watch: Lecture - Wrapping things up!
Watch the lecture below for some final thoughts on theories and research in child development brought to you by Dr. Rick Fabes, the first author of this week's article and the director of this program!
https://youtu.be/F1CpO5o-yeY

Use the above to answer the following:

REFLECTION JOURNAL

You are going to submit a Reflective Journal entry.  The purpose of these journal entries is for you to explore your own understanding of this weeks material and how it relates to other aspects of your life, your interests etc.

100 words answer each of the following questions:

1.    In a few sentences, recap the main ideas of the theory (or theories!) that we covered this week.

2.    Describe the most interesting thing that you learned in your required reading (textbook, articles, or web reading). Be sure to describe why you found it interesting

*3.    Describe the most interesting thing that you learned or discussed in the discussion forum. Be sure to describe why you found it interesting

4.    At the beginning of the semester, I asked you to provide a definition of what it means to be a child.  Now that you are an expert on theoretical perspectives in child development.  I am going to ask again! So…based on what you have learned, what is childhood?  What does it mean to be a kid?

When asked to "Describe", be sure that you are thorough in your responses!  The Reflective Journal entry is intended to help you explore your own understanding and application of the content. Grading will be based on the thoughtfulness of your reflections, ability to use language and ideas from the readings, discussion, and other materials from the class, and the clarity of your thinking.  Your response to the question is accurate, thorough and shows evidence of critical thinking and application of the course material.

Required text book: Crain (2014). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications (6th edition). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited. You can use older version 

**Remember to be clear and provide details or examples when helpful!  Be sure to link your responses back to the course material!  Your experiences are a valuable reference point, but your responses must reflect what you have learned.  Your responses should reflect a thoughtful/creative/insightful argument; includes direct course reference; writing is coherent and organized with good grammatical structure

**Plagiarism is taken very seriously. Proper APA format is mandatory– very important to include page numbers with proper citations reference https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/1/ All work for this course will follow the format given in the above link (APA 6th Edition format)**

* Discussion Build some community! "
Before you respond to this thread, please take a few minutes and watch the following presentation Rita Pierson, a teacher in New York. At any level of education, including graduate school, relationships are essential.  Building relationships with faculty is great and I have enjoyed getting to know you all VERY much.  But building relationships with each other is even more important.  The people (your classmates!) in this course and in this program with you are going to the ones out there on the front lines with you, using the information that you learned in this program in a multitude of different careers and walks of life, all with the goals of impacting kids and the people in their lives.  So take some time in this thread and build community.  In particular, what hopes do you have for your classmates with regards to how they use their degrees in the future?  What advice do you have?  What plans do you have as you move forward and how can the field of child development (including your classmates!) help to support those plans?  How do you hope to be a champion for kids?  
Obviously you don't need to answer all of these questions.  :)    
https://youtu.be/SFnMTHhKdkw"


"My hopes for my classmates are simple - do all you can, be all you can, and succeed in any way you can. I want my classmates to reach for the stars and really go after what they want. I hope they all find a job where they can do what they are passionate about and really makes them happy everyday. If I have any advice, it would be just that; find what makes you happy and do it. That is the advice I plan to use myself. I am going to be volunteering with a hospital later this month and will also be doing an internship with an organization that helps homeless youth. I am very excited and cannot wait to see what I learn and cannot wait to see if I can have a positive impact on the youth I work with. If everything goes according to plan, I will continue to volunteer and work with youth in my future. I would love to stick with organizations that help the youth who are down on their luck, or who have not had life easy. I want to help kids get back on the right track so that they can have what I have; happiness. I want to fight for the kids who may not have had the best luck of the draw, and who need an adult (holy crap I am an adult) to stand up for them. This course on child development will help me because I can now understand what different developmental stages these kids will be at, or what stages they were not able to pass through. This course will help me teach and advocate for the kids I work with.

In simpler terms, I hope to not only help and teach youth, but I hope they can teach me as well. Learning from them is just as important as teaching them."

"I want to say to all of my classmates that I wish you all the best. My advice for all of you would be to follow your dreams and don’t be afraid to try something new. There are so many opportunities out there that we can take advantage of with our new level of education. We have learned so much in this course of different theories that involve children, parents, teachers, and people in the community. Whether all of the theories were agreed upon, it can be looked at as a positive learning experience on how to have a diverse mind. I plan to use this course to have a better understanding of families I come encounter with at work that all have unique issues. I also plan to look into career opportunities that focus on at risk families and developing programs to help the parents and their family’s access resources to educate and assist them to help them be successful."

""My hope for my classmates is that you all continue to advocate for children, in whatever capacity that suits you best.  Kids are the best asset our world has, and we need to do everything we can to protect and nurture this asset.  I hope that the theories we have discussed in this course lead us to all be better educators, parents, counselors, and humans.  Knowing how children function and develop is critical to knowing how to care for them.  I wish anyone who is a parent had to take this course!  In order to make good choices, we have to make informed choices, and I think that through this course I have become better informed and educated on how to work with young people.  I personally hope to use this course as I purse a career as a Child Life Specialist.  I am intrigued by the way that kids function and develop, and want to use my knowledge to help them be their best selves.  I also want to be able to share my knowledge with their parents, to help them be the best parents.  I hope to be a champion for kids by consistently striving to learn more so that I can be more effective in my work with children.  Knowing I can affect the lives of children is important to me, and I will always take that responsibility seriously."

"I love that you said, "don't be afraid to try something new". I think that for many people, they get comfortable and can be afraid to stop doing one thing and start doing something they really want to do. That is great advice. I am right there with you, in that, I too want to work with at risk families and youth. I am currently trying to get my foot in the door at Children and Families of Iowa; they help at risk families and help  get them the resources to further them in their life and desires. I love organizations like this because it can be really rewarding, but it also can make you really appreciate what you have and the work you do. Do you have one organization you have an interest in, or just love what they do  (even if you don't want to work there)?"

"My hopes and wishes for my classmates is that they continue to strive for their dreams and aspirations may they be professionally and personally. Don’t get stuck in your comfort zone or routine. Stepping outside your comfort zone is what makes life interesting. No one fails, it is simply proof that you are trying! Any child that is touched by each and everyone of you will be lucky, because we all are here to help children because we truly care about them. May your experiences be shared and new ones learned. I hope everyone is successful in whatever they decide to do. If you’re happy with what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life. This I believe!"