Communicating Child Development Research To Parents Assignment 2 Answer

ASSESSMENT 2: PAMPHLETCommunicating child development research to parents

Value: 30%

Length: 2 x A4 pages for your pamphlet, 1 x additional page for references

Overview: The purpose of this assessment is to assist you in developing the skills to (ii) obtain and synthesise current theory and research about a topic, and (ii) communicate this evidence to parents. 

Topic: Please select ONE topic from the following three options:

• Child mental health 
• Friendship development
• Autobiographical memory development

Detailed Task Information

You will prepare a 2-page pamphlet for parents on your chosen topic. You will also include 1 x additional page for references (not pamphlet material). Your pamphlet may be given to parents of the children attending your centre/school/local health district, so you want to make it (i) evidence-based, and (ii) engaging! 

Pamphlet inclusions 

1. Promote awareness of a specific area of children’s development.
2. Outline at least one research study as an exemplar. 

E.g., “research shows that parents affect children’s perfectionism” is not sufficient as we don’t know how/why. A better inclusion is: “Professor Hudson and her team at the Centre for Emotional Health explored the impact of parental perfectionism on children. In this study, they asked children to… they found that….” Provide parents with enough detail to understand the study and its findings! 

1. Suggest evidence-based ways that parents can foster their child’s development of this specific area at home. You can ensure your suggestions are evidence-based by checking that they draw on/apply research. 
2. Provide parents with suggestions for further reading. Remember to avoid paywalls, and to stick to professional and authoritative sources (not personal blogs)!
3. Clearly indicate an age focus on your pamphlet. This helps parents choose if right for them! Remember your focus must be somewhere in the preschool or primary years.

Preschool = 3-6 years or 4-6 years, while primary school = 5-12 years. You may choose a more specific age band too: this is fine, as long as you a) choose a period within preschool or primary school, and b) make clear this chosen age focus. 

Tips for layout

1. Ensure your pamphlet is as visually appealing as possible for parents J. 
2. You might consider designing your pamphlet with three columns, as though it will be folded (just make sure we can see where to read first and next!)
3. Alternatively, consider formatting as a double poster to be put on the wall, or a double-sided leaflet to look over.
4. Please submitted in correct orientation. We will get sore necks reading sideways J
5. Stick to your limit of 2 pages for your pamphlet itself (pretend it is going to be printed: it should be one sheet of paper, printed on both sides)! 
6. Your reference page is an additional page. Please do not put pamphlet material onto your reference page. This is for references only. 

Advice for making the pamphlet engaging and accessible

1. Remember this is not a ‘normal’ academic piece of writing – it is for parents. As such, typical font requirements (e.g. times new roman, size 12) are not applicable. 
2. Consider using images, tables, and other visually appealing devices. Just remember to acknowledge images in your leaflet (due to copyright constraints)! 
3. The word limit may vary between 750-1000 words, as a guide, but this will vary between pamphlets. You are aiming to both convey information and be accessible.
4. Use language appropriate to a lay audience, and define terms if needed. This shows us that you can translate scientific findings into interesting information for parents!

Marking Criteria

Criterion 1 (6 marks): Appearance 

Your pamphlet is engaging and attractive. It is likely to attract attention and is clearly laid out and presented. Language used is clear, culturally and emotionally sensitive and information is accessible for parents from diverse backgrounds. It is not crammed with too many words or pictures, and communicates effectively to the reader a main idea.

Criterion 2 (12 marks): Use of literature

Your pamphlet reflects ideas presented in current research literature or scholarly reviews regarding your chosen topic and explains why it is important for young children’s learning and development. The findings from at least one relevant research study are described/discussed explicitly.

Criterion 3 (8 marks): Implications for parents

Your pamphlet identifies implications and suggests specific ways that parents might foster their child’s development. The resources used and suggestions for further reading are included.

Criterion 4 (4 marks): Referencing

Includes reference list (on separate page) using APA 7^th style. Adheres to Academic Honesty policy. Although it is not generally necessary to use conventional APA referencing in the text of your leaflet, do still indicate the source of your information (e.g. as a footnote, use of researcher names, or small ref somewhere that will align with your reference list).