ECE 114 Child Development: Prenatal to 2 ½ years

Assignment #2        Value: 25%

Due date: various see Critical Path

This assignment is to be completed individually. This is a research assignment. Keep all your rough work.

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to explore a meaningful topic related to infant-toddler development (birth to 2 years). You will examine relevant theoretical perspectives and conduct research to deepen your understanding.

This assignment also supports your progress toward meeting course-specific learning outcomes, essential employability skills, and Humber’s institutional learning outcomes:

• examine the various theoretical frameworks/debates and concepts to understand developmental pre-natal through to 2 1/2 years
• use the milestones/stages of development to guide professional practice
• design responsive inclusive early learning experiences using individual children’s knowledge, skills and interests
• examine how child development guides early childhood professionals in designing individually responsive and inclusive programs, and
• examine professional behaviours that support the development of individuals to support diverse equitable learning environments
• respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication
• manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects, and
• take responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and consequences

Overview

This assignment invites you to independently explore a topic of interest related to infant-toddler development. It comprises two parts:

• Part A: Research Proposal (5%)
• Part B: Research Write-Up (20%)

Each parts requires you to complete a question-and-answer format write-up, submitted as a .doc/.docx or PDF file by the due dates listed in the course Critical Path.

General Guidelines

• Sources: Use your ECE 114 course textbook and at least two additional scholarly sources (published within the last 10 years).
• Prohibited Sources: Do not use Wikipedia, Artificial Intelligence (AI), blogs, or newspaper articles.
• Citations: Include in-text citations using paraphrasing (no direct quotes permitted) and a reference page in APA format.
• Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: Failure to include and/or cite sources appropriately will result in a grade of zero for part or all of the assignment.

Part A: Research Proposal (5%)

Submit a 1-page, single-spaced proposal using the provided template in the Assignment #2 folder. No cover page is needed. Submit as a Word or PDF file via the Part A submission link.

Include the following sub-headings:

1. Topic (2 points)
   • Choose one topic from the approved list in the Assignment #2
   • Identify the focus age group (infants or toddlers).
   • Briefly explain why this topic is valuable for ECEs and relevant to the course

2.    Research Questions (4 points)

• Write 3–4 open-ended questions that begin with “how” or “what.”
• Ensure the questions are practical, relevant to your ECE role, and aligned with your research goals.
• These questions will guide your work in Part

3.    Scholarly Sources (4 points)

• List at least three scholarly sources, including your course textbook, in APA
• Begin exploring these sources now to ensure they’re appropriate and up to
• Faculty may offer feedback on your

Submission for Part A

Upload your completed template via the Assignment #2 Part A link. Proofread your work carefully. Faculty will assess your submission (out of 10 points) and indicate if revisions are needed. If revisions are requested, please resubmit promptly.

Part B: Research Write-Up (20%)

Use the feedback from Part A to complete your full write-up. Your submission must follow a question-and-answer format, include in-text citations (paraphrasing), and reflect a clear focus on either infants or toddlers (use the age group you selected in Part A).

Your write-up must include:

1. Topic Recap
   • Restate your approved topic and the chosen age

2.    Research Findings

• Present your 3–4 open-ended questions (labeled 2a, 2b, ) with corresponding, well-researched responses.
• Use your own words, cite sources, and connect your findings to ECE

3.    Theoretical Connections

• Identify and explain the developmental theory/theories most relevant to your
• Describe how these theories help deepen your understanding of the
• Include

4.    Application to ECE Practice

• Imagine explaining your topic to a fellow What practical insights or guidelines would you share?
• Reflect on and describe how your research will support your future work with infants or toddlers.

5.    Activity Plan

Design a developmentally appropriate learning experience for the same age group (infants or toddlers) that you have focused on for this assignment. Include:

• The name of the learning experience and what the experience entails
• A brief description of materials required
• How you would introduce the activity and engage the child
• The targeted developmental area and two specific skills that will stimulate/support the topic you researched
• An explanation of how the activity supports these skills, with references to

ELECT or other relevant frameworks

Submission for Part B

Submit your final write-up as a Word or PDF file via the Assignment #2 Part B submission link. Screenshots or image files will not be accepted.

Make sure to proofread, self-assess using the Part B rubric, and confirm that all sections are complete and well-cited.

Note: Missing citations or failing to include a reference page is considered a breach to Academic Integrity and may result in a grade of zero for part or all of the assignment.

To ensure your work is complete, you can use the following checklist before submitting, to ensure that you have:

• Proofread your work for clarity, completeness, and

Tip: Read it aloud to yourself or have someone read it to you. You can also use your device’s text-to-speech feature.

q  Included in-text citations and a reference page.

All sources used, including the course textbook, must be properly cited in APA format.

q  Included your self-assessment.

At the end of your write-up, list each prompt number and the score you believe you earned (based on the Assignment #2 Part B Rubric).

q  An organized document file in the following order:

• Title page
• Main content (Q&A format) with appropriate in-text citations
• Reference page
• Self-grading

 

No. of Pages: 6