ASSESSMENT : Analytical report

Detail:

The focus of this assignment is the language interaction between a child and a parent/carer in two different social contexts.

In preparing your report you will take the perspective of an early childhood teacher/educator.

You will write a report comparing and analysing two transcripts of child and parent/ /carer talk, in which you wil:

1. select one written and one video example to discuss

2. identify important features of the interactions and analyse how child and adult are showing these in both examples

3. analyse the interaction, communication and meaning making, focusing on both the child and the adult

4. draw some comparisons between the two examples (discuss any similarities or differences you note)

5. use information from lectures and readings, appropriately referenced, to justify your analysis and key points (sections 2,3, & 4)

Suggested assignment structure

• Introduction: a summary of what will be covered your report (max. 200 words)

• A brief summary of the two examples you have selected, describing context and situation for the interaction (max. 100 words)

• Comparative analysis of the two transcripts (sub-headings may be used if desired) (max. 1200)

• Conclusion: A summary of key findings of your analysis, used to argue for the role of conversation and effective adult strategies to support children's language development and 'learning how to mean' (max. 500 words)

The main purposes of this assignment are for you to:

• articulate your experience in thinking about, listening to and writing professionally about, children's language use, drawing on theory and research

• discuss several carefully selected features from the examples that are important in language development (for example, turn taking; question-asking)

• show understanding of what each child can do through language to make meaning

• demonstrate your knowledge of how an adult's language use may either facilitate or frustrate the child's language development

• demonstrate a developing knowledge base of young children's language development