Research suggests that the concept of play is an important aspect of child development. Thus, as tools of playtime, toys have the potential to influence development. Select one toy to analyze (you can visit Amazon or some websites that feature childrens toys). Your description should include a brief description of how the toy physically appears and its function (what it does). As the last page in your paper (after the References page), please include an Appendix A, with one embedded or pasted photo of the toy, with an active link beneath the photograph. The tone should be objective, and not persuasive.
Write an analysis of your selected toy through the lens of developmental psychologyselect three of the theorists listed below and examine the toy, imagining what each theorist would think, note, or find interesting about it. This project will require you to research and apply the theories of your selections. You must use at least one outside academic source (not myself or the text) to support each theory you cover (three total).
Piaget
Vygotsky
Information processing theory
Bandura
Kohlberg
Erikson
Freud
Gardner
The analysis may include anything- strengths, shortcomings, concerns, possible improvements, appropriateness, unintended results, skills, cognition, age recommendations or any other aspect that you think your selected theory/theorist would find most relevant. The goal of each section is to hypothesize what the theorist would say or think or note or like/dislike abo
ut the toy. You have a great deal of creative freedom!
The body of your analysis should be approximately 4-5 pages covering three different lenses through which to examine the toy in detail, covering the most relevant aspects of that theory for the selected toy. Use Times New Roman font size 12 with normal margins, and double space your work.
The paper will be written in essay form, with paragraphs that are separated by idea, with a proper APA format cover page, in-text citations, and reference page (no Abstract, discussion, or titled sections necessary). Your work should show strong academic language and organization, critical thinking, applied concepts, strong academic tone, and demonstrate excellent spelling and grammar. Do not use the first- or second-person narrative for this assignment (no I or you). Please do not label the parts, add extra spaces between sentences or paragraphs, or employ any other space-filler methods, as credit will be deducted.
Papers should include all of the following, in this order:
Title page
Introduction (2/3 page at maximum) Toy description
Theory 1
Theory 2
Theory 3
Conclusion
Reference page
Appendix A
Works will be graded according to the following criteria:
Toy Selection, Style, Format, Tone, Clarity, Organization, Introduction & Conclusion: 5 points
Three theories explored, demonstrated application of theories, relevant research selections: 15
points (5 points each)
Be sure to include pictures as well as the link to the toy selcted!!