Hints for Assignment 7

 It's about quality of daycare.  Here is a picture of some ducks and quakity of daycare. (Excuse the typo)

2 possible ways to do Assignment 7: 

(i)   Shut your eyes.  Don’t think about it.  It might go away.  (Not recommended!)

(ii)  Read up the work on daycare and enrichment studies.  See what other resources might be available.  Do a bit every day so that it’s finished well before the deadline.  Drink tea, coffee, alcohol or whatever at the appropriate times.  Hand it in or email it on time.  (Recommended)

Here is a typical Combi Psychology class of 1925 working at assignment 7:

Here’s a bit of help for method (ii).  First, you need to read the articles in the assignment.  Get to know what the assignment is about.  There are two articles here, one is about the long term effects of the quality of daycare;  the other is about enrichment programmes.  Enrichment programmes are usually politically based with the intention of putting lots of money into enriching the early years learning of children before mainstream schooling, i.e. three to five year olds. The first of these was project Headstart, set up by President John F Kennedy in the 1960s to help under privileged children in American Southern States.  It is mentioned in your class booklet, along with some evaluation.

Quality of Daycare – Stimulus 1.  Apart from the info in the class book, there is also info in Gross page 554  (5th Edition)  or page 502 (6th Edition).  There is a daycare mindmap on the website (link here).  You should  be starting to notice that there are things said in the articles that might agree or disagree with the text books.  Your job, for the assignment, is to use these as a jump-off point to discuss the issues.  The first issue is about working mothers leaving their children.  What does Bowlby say about this?  And was he right?  So already, there is the start of a small discussion with some possible evaluation.

OK.  Time for a break

Enrichment studies – Stimulus 2.  Same places for information, but there is an extra section about increasing IQ in the class booklet.  Basically, you should describe and evaluate enrichment projects generally and Headstart in particular, then describe the English system (Surestart and Helpcentres) and say whether you think they are working (they weren’t originally) and whether you think they will be successful, basing your answer, of course, on existing research.  And haven’t  you just been reading up on existing research?

And now, you show just how happy you are that you've finished.

Still having problems?   Some of you wanted some hints for evaluation.  Basically, it's this:  Does the research or theory that you're looking at, do or say what it's supposed to?  If it doesn't, where is it wrong, and what empirical support is there for you? (In other words, is there research to support what you say?)  Then, if it isn't right, where is it weak?  Then, outline some research which agrees with the theory and some research that disagrees.  Finally, look at the strengths and weaknesses.  Remember, there might not be strengths, or weaknesses!  So, think of Bowlby.  His monotropic theory tries to explain attachment and bonding.  That certainly is what the theory is about, so it is valid.  What does it do well?  It suggests that attachment is a survival process and that it is most probably inherited. What does it do badly?  It says that only mothers can be attached, or at least that is most important, and that the attachment of mother is essential to development.  But Shaffer and Emerson say that there is more than one attachment and that may not be female or mother.  Can you see how evaluation works any more clearly now?  If you need more help, then ask me.

And finally, your reward for doing the assignment.