Students are expected to complete a reflection paper on their observations throughout the semester. The paper should be a minimum of five pages and a maximum of 7 pages. The reflection must contain information that demonstrates:

• Familiarity with the theories of development discussed in the assigned readings and their major concepts. This means that the theory you are using should be explicitly identified and the concepts from the theory should be used accurately.
• Sensitivity to the contexts where you observed the child’s behavior. Therefore, you should include a brief discussion of how the child’s environment may have impacted what you observed.
• Consideration of diversity that might influence how the child is developing and the behavior that you observed. Include any information related to the biological sex, social differences, or other differences, which may produce differences in development.

There should be 6 sections in the Developmental Assessment Reflection Paper. The first should be an introduction that provides information about the observation experience itself and the children observed. The next 4 sections should address changes seen in Physical and Motor Development, Social/Emotional Development, Language Development, and Cognitive Development. In each of these sections you should discuss what you have learned, how what you observed illustrates what you have learned, and the theory that you are using to understand/explain what you observed. Consider what patterns or themes you discovered or which developmental milestones were present or missing and why. The 6thsection should provide an analysis of the observation data that you collected, the assumptions that you are making, and your conclusions. What were the similarities and differences that you discovered? Be sure to cite appropriate scholarly sources throughout. Your textbooks are acceptable to use as references.

An ideal paper will use the following outline and contain APA formatted section headings, including a title page and reference page:

• Introduction
• Physical and Motor Development
• Social/Emotional Development
• Language Development
• Cognitive Development
• Analysis and Conclusions

Students must follow the instructions for each assignment very carefully. Students who produce minimum work will earn minimum points for each of these assignments.