DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY A : Assessment 1: Essay
Session due: Session 6
Date: 23 October
Length: 2100 words maximum
Marks: 100 (40% of the final grade)

What is an essay?

Essays generally demonstrate the author’s research, position, and understanding of a specific topic or subject matter. The student should demonstrate their understanding of the topic through personal interpretation in addition to citing literature and relating its applicability to the topic. Essays differ based on the module topic under investigation. Ideas should be presented logically and coherently, showcasing a reasoned argument in the relevant subject under investigation, and specifically meeting the respective assignment instructions. The student should make use of appropriate academic language relevant to the subject and incorporate a conclusion that is consistent with the evidence in the essay about the topic.
The student’s ability to: select, organise, integrate and present information from various credible sources will be assessed. Furthermore, the student’s ability to write, develop an argument, present their position, present supporting evidence of their research on the topic and demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter will be assessed.

Instructions
Watch the second episode of ‘The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6-Year-Olds’ and write an essay that responds to the following:
1. Start your essay with a brief reflection on what stood out for you in the episode you watched. Your reflection should be no longer than 100 words.

2. Define the concept of developmental milestones and support your definition with literature. You must explain what developmental milestones are and provide references to scholarly sources that back up your definition.

3. Identify and discuss the key developmental milestones that you observed in the video, and provide examples from the episode to support your points. This requires you to pay attention to the children's behaviours, actions, and interactions with others to identify the milestones they've achieved.

4. Choose one developmental theory that you think is relevant to the context of the video, and use it to analyse the behaviour and interactions of the children in the episode. When discussing the theory, you should cover:

? The key characteristics of the developmental theory that is evident in the episode.
? Criticisms are labelled against the theory.

5. Present an argument about the significance of early childhood development and reflect on the unique challenges that South African parents face when trying to access quality early childhood development support centres. This requires you to research and analyse the challenges and barriers that exist in South Africa that may prevent parents from accessing these resources.

6. Use research to support your answers wherever possible. This means providing
references to relevant literature to back up your arguments.

Feedback

In this essay, you are expected to address the following questions:

1. Start your essay with a brief reflection on what stood out for you in the episode you watched. Your reflection should be no longer than 100 words.
In this section, you should provide a concise summary of the main points or moments that caught your attention while watching the episode. This reflection should be personal and subjective, highlighting your own thoughts and reactions to the content.
2. Define the concept of developmental milestones and support your definition with literature. You must explain what developmental milestones are and provide references to scholarly sources that back up your definition.
In this question, you need to provide a clear definition of developmental milestones and explain their significance in child development. You should support your definition with references to scholarly sources such as textbooks, research articles, or reputable websites that provide authoritative information on the topic.
3. Identify and discuss the key developmental milestones that you observed in the video and provide examples from the episode to support your points. This requires you to pay attention to the children's behaviours, actions, and interactions with others to identify the milestones they've achieved.
In this section, you should analyse the behaviours, actions, and interactions of the children in the video and identify the specific developmental milestones they have reached. You should provide examples from the episode to support your analysis and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.
4. Choose one developmental theory that you think is relevant to the context of the video and use it to analyse the behaviour and interactions of the children in the episode. When discussing the theory, you should cover:
- The key characteristics of the developmental theory that is evident in the episode.
- Criticisms labelled against the theory.
In this question, you need to select a specific developmental theory that you believe is relevant to the context of the video. You should explain the key characteristics of the theory that are evident in the behaviours and interactions of the children in the episode. Additionally, you should discuss any criticisms or limitations that have been raised against the theory by scholars or researchers in the field.
5. Present an argument about the significance of early childhood development and reflect on the unique challenges that South African parents face when trying to access quality early childhood development support centres. This requires you to research and analyse the challenges and barriers that exist in South Africa that may prevent parents from accessing these resources.
In this section, you should present an argument about the importance of early childhood development and discuss the unique challenges that South African parents face in accessing quality early childhood development support centres. You should conduct research to identify and analyse the specific challenges and barriers that exist in South Africa, such as financial constraints, limited availability of resources, lack of awareness, or cultural factors. Your argument should be supported by evidence from scholarly sources and relevant literature.
6. Use research to support your answers wherever possible. This means providing references to relevant literature to back up your arguments.
Throughout your essay, you should incorporate research and references to relevant literature to support your arguments and claims. This includes citing scholarly sources, research studies, and academic articles that provide evidence and support for the points you are making.
Essay structure:
When structuring your essay, it is important to ensure that your ideas flow logically and coherently. Here is a suggested structure for your essay:
Introduction
- Provide a brief overview of the episode you watched and its relevance to developmental psychology.
- Introduce the main questions and objectives of your essay.
- Provide a thesis statement that outlines the main argument or findings of your essay.
Reflection on the Episode
- Start with a brief reflection on what stood out for you in the episode.
- Summarise the main points or moments that caught your attention.
- Connect your reflection to the broader themes or concepts in developmental psychology.
Definition of Developmental Milestones
- Define the concept of developmental milestones.
- Explain the significance of developmental milestones in child development.
- Support your definition with references to scholarly sources.
Key Developmental Milestones in the Video
- Identify and discuss the key developmental milestones observed in the video.
- Provide specific examples from the episode to support your points.
- Analyse the behaviours, actions, and interactions of the children to identify the milestones they have achieved.

Analysis of a Developmental Theory
- Choose one developmental theory relevant to the context of the video.
- Explain the key characteristics of the theory evident in the episode.
- Discuss any criticisms or limitations of the theory.
- Analyse the behaviour and interactions of the children in the episode using the chosen theory.
Significance of Early Childhood Development
- Present an argument about the importance of early childhood development.
- Discuss the unique challenges faced by South African parents in accessing quality early childhood development support centres.
- Research and analyse the specific challenges and barriers in South Africa.
- Support your argument with evidence from scholarly sources and relevant literature.
Conclusion
- Summarise the main points discussed in the essay.
- Restate your thesis statement and main findings.
- Provide a concluding statement that reflects on the broader implications of the topic.