In order for this assignment to count for a grade, the following must have been

In order for this assignment to count for a grade, the following must have been done:

1. Signed Course Agreement form submitted.
2. Attendance or summary of the syllabus review lecture completed.
3. Responses must be well thought out and well written.
4. Responses must include 2+ references to the readings, videos, and/or activities assigned for the week.
5. Responses must focus on both course material first and personal reflection second.
6. Initial responses must be between 350-500 words and posted no later than the Saturday of the first week that the discussion is open by 11:59 p.m. (worth 10 points), responses posted after the first week but before discussions close will be considered late and assessed a late penalty.
7. Responses to classmates must include at least two (2) substantive peer interactions (i.e. reply to one or more posts by a classmates using 100 or more words (worth 5 points each, up to 10 points total) in which you offer your own insight or ask probing questions) and posted no later than Saturday by 11:59 p.m.. No responses can be posted to the discussion board once it closes.
8. All three posts must take place on separate days.
9. Any post that is completed on the same day as another post will not count towards your required posts for the discussion board.
10. Discussion posts that are completed within the first 7 days of the 14 day period (with no point deduction) will be assessed extra credit points (1 point per 3-post completed discussion for a total of up to 5 extra credit points).
11. Any post that does not include the declaration statement will not be accepted for a grade.

Word count does not include the declaration statement or topic/question re-stated.

Each assignment submitted must include the following statement either before the response to the topic, after the response, or in the submission box (for assignments that are submitted in assignment dropboxes) and not doing so will result in your assignment not being accepted for a grade: “I declare that this assignment is my own work and that I have correctly acknowledged the work of others. This assignment is in accordance with University and School guidance on good academic conduct (and how to avoid plagiarism and other assessment irregularities).”

Choose one of the following:

1. What is the role of play in psychosocial development? Does play affect cognitive development as well? If so, how?

2. Take a field trip to a toy store, baby store, or discount store. Select an infant toy to evaluate (include a picture of it in your post). When writing your evaluation consider the following questions:

• Will this toy keep an infant’s attention?
• Can this toy be used for both boys and girls?
• Does this toy allow an infant to use it creatively?
• Is this a toy that will be outgrown?
• Does this toy stimulate sensory development?
• Does this toy stimulate language development?
• Does this toy offer an opportunity for problem solving (thinking)?
• Is this toy safe for infants? How do you know?
• Is this toy good value for the money?
• Would you recommend this toy to parents?
• Would you personally want your child to have this toy?

3. The textbook authors point out that poverty is a major correlate of childhood illness in the United States. Should we attempt to reduce the poverty rate by providing money or funding to families, or should we work to correct the social factors that lead to poverty in our society? What should be government’s role in either of those approaches?