Assignment:
Importance of Theory and Research in Child Development
In a Journal entry of 500-1000 words, begin by reflecting on the phrase, "Well that's what we did with my kids and they turned out just fine." Describe your own thoughts about this statement and explain why this may be true in some cases, but not in others. Use personal experiences or examples to support your factual statements and opinions.
Then, watch the Endless Questions video analyzing child development research and find one additional scholarly source of your choice (see tips and a link to tutorials below) and use them to reflect on and answer the following questions:
• Why is it important to utilize problem-solving techniques in exploring developmental issues, grounded in child development theory to explain and/or demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the children's developmental continuum, from conception?
• What makes scholarly research different from anecdotal evidence (or personal experience) in explaining child and adolescent development? [Hint: Consider the methodology of the articles you are reading.]
• Identify and briefly describe the key points of one theory and why you feel that theory is applicable to child and/or adolescent development.
Finally, relate the value of continued learning with a concluding reflection on why we should incorporate both personal experience and scholarly research grounded in theory to help support any statements made in this class or any other professional setting.
You are required to utilize at least one scholarly source (including, but not limited to, the multimedia in the required and recommended resources for Week One). You should cite all of your sources (including the video embedded above) in proper APA style. If you are unsure how to create an APA style reference page, please visit the Citation and Reference page on the Ashford Writing Center website. Aside from the video embedded in the prompt, you are to find one other scholarly through the Ashford Library website to help support your reflections in PART II. View this great tutorial provided by the Ashford University Library which will show you how to find scholarly articles and how to assess the scholarly quality of the resource