Practitioners must be able to work with others and understand theories and terms in developmental
psychology as they apply to others. Learners develop case management skills by applying theories and
terms in developmental psychology to real-world experiences, helping them identify key developmental
stages in either early childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Before the observation, it is recommended that learners compile a list of terms, stages, etc., associated
questions to ask, and things to look for that will assist them in the observation.
Khan Academy Medicine: Kohlberg moral development: Individuals and Society (Located
on assignment overview page)
Faith Development Theories (Located on assignment overview page)
Worship at Different Stages of Faith- Fowler’s Stages of Faith (Located on assignment
overview page)
Part 1: Observation
Assignment Instructions
1. Prepare for your observation
• Download, print, and review the Developmental Observation Questions
handout. (Located on assignment overview page)
• Review the following resources per your selected developmental age group.
2. Observe and interact with either a child from birth to 12 years old, an adolescent
between 13-17 years of age, or an adult 18+ years old.
• You must pick a different age group than the group that the person you chose for
your Advancing Development Paper belonged to.
• Identify the participant’s name, age, what stood out to you most about the
observation, and whether your individual is on track developmentally.
3. Write a bullet point outline that reports the individual’s physical,cognitive,
social/emotional, and spiritual/moral development.
• Provide 3-5 bullets for each area of development (physical, cognitive,
social/emotional, and spiritual/moral).
• A minimum of 12 bullet points.
• Bullet points should include at least one key term, theory, or stage based on the
readings and research for each area of development.
• The key terms, theories, or stages should be in bold text.
• Each bullet point needs to have a different key term, theory, or stage.
2
• A bullet point should include an example and/or quote illustrating the
term/theorist/stage.
• e.g. Refer to the Development Observation Guide as a guide to complete your
observation. (Located on assignment overview page)
4. Complete and submit your Development Observation Guide and Development
Observation Questions.
5. Include at least 2 credible sources
Part 2: Observation Summary and Analysis
1. Review and implement any comments from your instructor for Part 1: Observation.
2. Describe the participant that you observed.
• Share your participant’s first name (can be fictional name if participant wants to
remain anonymous), age, physical attributes, and you initial impressions.
3. Analyze your observation findings for each area of development (physical, cognitive,
social/emotional, and spiritual/moral).
• Explain how your observations support the 3-5 bullets for each area of
development that you identified in your Development Observation Guidefrom
Part 1: Observation.
• Explain whether or not your participant is developmentally on track for each area
of development.
4. What stood out the most to you about the observation?
5. Include at least 2 credible sources
Assignment Requirements
Part 1: Observation
• Completed Development Observation with 3-5 bullet points for each area of
development (physical, cognitive, social/emotional, and spiritual/moral).
• One key term, theory, and/or stage for each bullet point based on the readings
and/or research for each area of development.
• APA Formatting
• Submission will be checked for plagiarism.
• Completed Development Observation
Part 2: Observation Summary and Analysis
• Summary paper of observation findings for each area of development and
connection to the observed participant.
• Comprehensive description of the observed participant.
• Analyzed observation experience with course material to determine whetherthe
participant is developmentally on track for each area of development.
• 4-6 Pages in length
• APA Formatting
• Submission will be checked for plagiarism