Reference no: EM133931723

Policy, Pedagogy & Curriculum for infants and toddlers (Birth - 2)

Assessment: Research Project

Please note that the word count for this assessment allows a 10% variation (+/-). The word count includes all in-text citations but excludes Assessment Cover Page and Reference List.

Task description: The objective of this assessment is to evaluate and extend your understanding of key concepts covered in webinars, tutorials, and prescribed readings from Weeks 1 to 6. You are required to select one topic explored during this period and undertake further research to deepen your knowledge. This will involve sourcing a peer-reviewed research article related to your chosen topic from a reputable early childhood education and care journal. The article must have been published within the last 5 to 10 years. In your assessment, you will critically discuss how the article enhances your understanding of the selected topic and analyse how its findings can inform your professional practice with infants Get expert online assignment help in the USA.

Instructions for completing this Assessment Task
Choosing a topic:
Students may choose a topic from the key concepts covered in webinars, tutorials and prescribed readings from Weeks 1-6. Suggested topics include:
The Care/ Education Divide
The Western Lense in Early Education and Care for Infants & Toddlers
Responsive practice in infant and toddler care and education
Professional Approaches to Infant and Toddler Care
The Competent Infant
Accessing a peer-reviewed journal article:
Select a peer-reviewed journal article relating to your chosen topic.
A peer-reviewed research article is a scholarly paper that has been read and critiqued by independent experts in the same field before being published. The peer review process ensures that the article meets academic standards for quality, accuracy, and rigor. These articles usually include original research
You can confirm an article is peer-reviewed by:
Searching through academic databases such as EBSCOhost, ERIC, ProQuest, or the AE library portal, and using filters for ‘peer-reviewed' or ‘scholarly' sources.
Looking at the article itself-peer-reviewed articles typically include an abstract, introduction, methodology, findings/results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
Choose an article that has been published within the last 5-10 years. This ensures that the research is current, relevant, and reflective of contemporary knowledge and practice in the field of early childhood education and care.
Acknowledge Education students have access to a range of journal articles via the library.

Assessment Structure
Address Each Criterion effectively:

Section Recommended word count Content
Introduce your selection of research article
150 words Introduce your chosen topic and journal article
Briefly provide a rationale for your choice of article as relates to your chosen topic from Weeks 1-6
Understanding of key concepts from weeks 1-6

Outline and discuss the key concepts relating to your chosen topic. This might be just one key concept, or several, depending on your topic choice.
Demonstrate your understanding of these key concepts, including the scope of these concepts, implications for practice, impact on outcomes for children, effects on pedagogy, ethical considerations, etc.

You should integrate this demonstration of your understanding throughout your assessment
Critical discussion of how article enhances understanding of the selected topic

Unpack your chosen article, outlining the key points discussed, the research methods used, key findings, and relevant discussion

Critically reflect on the article, outlining how it extends on, challenges or contributes to understanding in the chosen subject area.
Provide an analysis of the limitations of the article, with reference to research methods used.

Analysis of how article findings inform practice with infants and toddlers 600 words

Reflect on the implications of the article findings for current and future professional practice with infants and toddlers - in what ways might the article support a change in curriculum, pedagogical approach or policy changes in early childhood education and care?

Consider the practical application of these findings with reference to holistic and developmentally-appropriate pedagogical approaches - how might you as a teacher utilise the knowledge gained from this article in your future practice with infants and toddlers?

Analyse the article findings through a practical lens - how might these findings impact on quality care and education for infants and toddlers?

Conclusion 150 words Provide a conclusion summarising your findings. Do not introduce new information
Writing, structure, and referencing (10%) Provide references & citations in APA 7th

A minimum of 6 academic references to support your research project should be provided
Provide clear, structured writing with logical sequencing

Submission format:
Please submit a single Word document (.doc or .docx) containing the following components:
1. A completed Assessment Cover Page
2. The written research project
3. Reference list in APA 7th, list all sources cited in-text