Child Psychology Project Index

The following is a brief description of each of the projects that you will have an opportunity to complete this semester. You can decide early which of the three projects interest you most and plan accordingly. Select only one project from a particular chapter. Note that if you do not have access to children, you should consider projects with an asterisk. Specific instructions for each project assignment will be given when we cover the appropriate chapter.

Project Brief Description Chapter

*1 Review journal articles in the library which illustrate major

theories in child psychology. 1

*2 Observe and record the behavior of a child 2-8 years old for

15 minutes with another student from this class. 2

*3 Interview four adults outside of class with regard to their

attitudes concerning various technological advances in

prenatal development. 3

*4 Estimate what it costs to have a baby and maintain the infant

for the first year. You will talk with hospitals, physicians'

offices, and price baby equipment at department stores, etc. 4

*5 Watch the TeleTubbies TV show and describe how the show 8

is designed to increase the cognitive and language skills of

toddlers.

6 Observe two preoperational or concrete operational children

(about 3-9 years old) completing Piagetian conservation tasks. 9

7 Interview two preschool (3-5 years) children individually

about their knowledge of the physical world. 9

8 Interview one three-year-old and one five-year old about their

absolute knowledge. Compare the results. 9

9 Interview a first-born, middle-born, last-born, and only child about

the advantages and disadvantages each has experienced with

regard to birth order (can be anyone over 16 years of age). 12

10 Interview 3 children (10-17 years of age) about their television

viewing habits. 14