Asignmnent: Child Development
Toy Project Instructions
The goal of this project is to find a toy, or two toys, with a suggested age rating listed on the toy (e.g. "for ages 4+"). The assignment is to write a description of the toy(s) that evaluates how developmentally appropriate or inappropriate this toy is for the particular age rating listed. You are not required to purchase the toy, simply provide a description of it, accompanied by a picture of the toy itself. Students are required to identify the skills that the toy is intended to elicit, and comment on the theories behind those skills.
Students should cover the following topics in their project:
• A general description of the toy (with a picture). What is the name of the toy? What is its intended use? What ages is this toy intended for?
• The developmental skills the toy is intended to elicit. What are the developmental skills that accompany children at the age this toy is intended for? Does this toy effectively elicit these skills? Why or why not?
• Developmental appropriateness of the toy. Is this toy developmentally appropriate for the ages listed on the toy? Why or why not?
• The developmental theories that this toy is building from. Based on our discussions in class, what are the developmental theories that back-up this toy? What are the theories that support the skills this toy elicits?
Students will also be required to provide a rating of the toy, overall, between a 1 (what on earth is this toy doing in stores?!? Take it off the shelf immediately!) and 10 (yes, this should definitely be sold in stores, I'm buying one for my little cousin right now!).
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.