infant education

ASSESSMENT 2: PAMPHLET

Communicating child development research to parents

Due Date:  Week 12, Thursday May 26 by 11:59pm

Value:  30%

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

Submission: Via Turnitin link on iLearn

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!

3. 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.

4. Provide parents with suggestions for further reading. Remember to avoid paywalls, and to stick to professional and authoritative sources (not personal blogs)!

5. 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 .

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

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 7th 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).

Note: If you use a direct quote in your leaflet (and you should avoid doing this typically) then include the correct APA in-text citation.

Marking Rubric

Criterion 1: Appearance (6 marks)
0 – 2 marks	Confusing layout and very hard to read. Language used is confusing/insensitive/inaccessible to parents. Crammed with too many words. Too many ideas presented
2.5 – 4 marks	Somewhat attractive and/or engaging. Could be more clearly laid out. Language is somewhat clear/sensitive/accessible to parents. Could reduce words or number of pictures. One or two main ideas.
4.5 – 6 marks	Attractive and engaging leaflet that is appealing to read. Clearly laid out with language that is clear, culturally sensitive, and accessible. Appropriate use of space with words and pictures, and delivers one effective idea.
Criterion 2: Use of Literature (12 marks)
0 – 3 marks	Little evidence that pamphlet used current or any research/scholarly reviews for chosen topic. Does not explain why it is important for development or learning. The source material is not relevant to recommendation and far too broad.
3.5 – 6 marks	Some evidence of current research/scholarly reviews though may not be directly relevant to topic. Explanation of relevance to development and learning is sometimes confusing/not evidence-base/too broad. Not clear if a study findings is discussed.
6.5 – 9 marks	Leaflet reflects idea based broadly on research literature/scholarly review for chosen topic. It explains relevance to learning and development though there are minor errors in interpretation. Findings from one study are discussed.
9.5 – 12 marks	Leaflet reflects ideas presented in current research literature/scholarly reviews for chosen topic. Clearly demonstrates relevance and importance to learning and development, with findings from at least one research study.
Criterion 3: Implications for parents (8 marks)
0 – 2.5 marks	The pamphlet does not suggest specific techniques for parents to foster development. Techniques are very broad and difficult to apply practically. Resources and suggested readings not included/included.
3 – 5.5 marks	Pamphlet includes specific ways to foster development though sometimes unclear, broad, or impractical for parents to apply. Resources and further readings not included/included.
6 – 8 marks	The pamphlet identifies specific and practical ways that parents can foster development. Resources and further readings are included.
Criterion 4: Referencing (4 marks)
0 – 1 marks	Significant errors, or errors that prevent us from obtaining source material
1.5 – 2.5 marks	Some errors throughout
3 – 4 marks	Minimal to no errors

General Guidelines

Formatting

The School of Education assignment formatting guidelines regarding text font and size do not apply to this assignment. Nonetheless, please still check you have submitted the correct file and that your file type is supported by Turnitin (if in doubt, use PDF).

Turnitin settings

The Turnitin settings for this unit permit you to view your Originality Report and resubmit up until the due date: thus, you are very welcome to double check any inadvertent plagiarism before your final submission.

Note that after your third submission, often there is a 24 hour delay in producing new Originality Reports. For this reason, please allow several days before the due date if you would like to use your Originality Report in this way.

Late penalties

To ensure fairness to others, your assignment should be submitted on or before the due date (think of this as the very latest to complete). Please ensure you are prepared to submit with plenty of time to allow for possible technological hiccups and so on!

Late penalties are specified by the Faculty of Arts and must apply to late assignments, so better to be in on time.

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