Task
First, you will select one of the major early developmental stages: infancy/toddlerhood (0-3 years), early childhood (3-6 years), middle childhood (7-12 years), or adolescence (12-18 years). You will then explain the developmental stage in terms of major developmental milestones.
Next, you will describe your significant event in developmental context by explaining what happened and any impacts on your development during this time.
Then, you will define and apply two major concepts of development (1: nature and nurture, 2: continuity and discontinuity) to your significant event.
Finally, you will define and apply one major theory of development (Erikson’s theory, Piaget’s theory, Vygotsky’s theory, information processing theory, attachment theory, behavioral theory, observational learning theory) to your significant event.
Please use this chart to help you organize your capstone:
Part |
Description |
Top Tips for Success |
Part I. Developmental Stage Reflect on your development thus far. What stage of your
Choose ONE stage to focus on for this capstone. |
First, create a header for this section (e.g., Developmental Stage). Then, in one paragraph: Articulate your selected developmental stage using a |
Be specific in this paragraph—make sure to be very clear when articulating Define and give concrete examples of each type of |
Part 2. Significant Event Think about your own experiences during your chosen What memorable events occurred during this time? Select ONE significant event during this developmental |
First, create a header for this section (e.g., Significant Event). Then, in one or two paragraphs: Explain the significant event in detail. What happened? |
This part of the capstone asks you to do two things. Be sure to fully explain Be sure that the effects you discuss make sense in the |
Part 3. Major Concepts in Development Consider two major concepts in development:
What do these concepts mean? How are these concepts |
First, create a header for this section (e.g., Major Concepts in Then, in one or two paragraphs: Define both major concepts as they pertain to |
The definition of each major concept AND discussion of how it is illustrated You may wish to write one paragraph of 3-4 sentences for |
Part 4. Developmental Theory Think about the major theories of development you have learned Erikson’s theory, Piaget’s theory, Vygotsky’s theory, Which theory seems to have the most relevance for your |
First, create a header for this section (e.g., Developmental Theory). Then, in one paragraph: Describe the major ideas of your chosen theory in 3-4 Then, in another 3-4 sentences, discuss how this theory |
Like Part 3, remember that Part 4 requires you to define AND discuss a Your theory definition will be academic and will rely on |
Requirements
- Type your capstone using a word processing software program.
- Use a basic font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, etc.), 12-point size, and 1-inch margins.
- Use full and complete sentences. Do not include bullet points or incomplete sentences.
- Do not use ANY artificial intelligence (AI) program to generate text for your assignment. Use your own voice to explain the concepts.
- Do read your textbook to gather information for your assignment.
- Do not directly copy ANY information from your textbook or online sources.
- Cite the textbook for any information in your assignment that you did not discover yourself. Use parenthetical (in-text) citations in APA style. A reference page is NOT required.
- Successful assignments will be between 500-750 words.
Resources
Make sure to review these helpful resources associated with this capstone:
- Capstone Rubric: Developmental Science and Me
- Example Capstone Outline: Developmental Science and Me
- APA Style Guidance for parenthetical (in-text) citations: APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition) – Purdue OWL® – Purdue University
Capstone Rubric: Developmental Science and Me
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Part 1. Developmental Stage (20%) |
The developmental stage of interest for the essay is not |
The essay names the developmental stage, but provides no |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides |
Part 2. Significant Event (20%) |
The essay does not include a description of an event |
The essay describes an event, but it is not sufficiently |
The essay describes an event, with minimal details to |
The essay describes an event, with adequate details of a |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides good |
The essay names the developmental stage and provides a |
Part 3. Major Concepts (20%) |
The essay does not address the 2 major concepts (section
-or-
The section does not include accurate information. |
The essay discusses only 1 issue with minimal accuracy and
-or-
The discussion of each issue is vague and/or unclear and |
The essay discusses 2 issues with minimal accuracy and
-or-
The discussion of each issue includes only minimal
|
The essay discusses 2 issues with accuracy and clarity.
-and-
Linkage to the anecdotal event is minimal and/or missing.
|
The essay discusses 2 issues with accuracy and clarity.
-and-
Linkage to the anecdotal event is moderately developed,
|
The essay discusses 2 issues with accuracy and clarity.
-and-
Linkage to the anecdotal event is well developed and
|
Part 4. Developmental Theory (20%) |
The essay does not identify a developmental theory from |
The essay identifies a theory, but does not describe it |
The essay identifies a theory and provides a minimal or |
The essay identifies a theory and provides an adequate or |
The essay identifies a theory and provides a good or |
The essay identifies a theory and provides an excellent, |
Writing, Citations, and Formatting (20%) |
The writer gives no or very little apparent attention to |
Language use, syntax/grammar, spelling, |
Language use, syntax/grammar, spelling, |
Language use, syntax/grammar, spelling, |
Language use, syntax/grammar, spelling, |
Language use, syntax/grammar, spelling, |