Question: The paper will be 10-12 pages in length (APA format, not including cover page and references; 5-10 citations). It will explore 2 developmental stages (e.g. Early Childhood, Adolescence, Late Adulthood).
For both identified stages, the paper will highlight biological, cognitive and psycho-social characteristics including norms/expectations/challenges, as well as, cultural and familial considerations.
The student will choose one population that they are drawn to (desire or expect to work with) and another that they know little about (or are somewhat averse to working with).
The student will identify aspects of the population, then identify a setting in which they may encounter a group or individual in that setting and come up with a scenario that reflects factors of that population (developmental stage). Identify presenting situation, state how the presenting situation is reflective of expected development (or not), conceptualize the situation in (developmental terms), and come up with possible interventions/ways of responding to it.
For example, you identify that you are working at a teen drop-in center. You notice an adolescent (whom you haven't seen for 2 months) comes in appearing and acting very different: with bright green hair, is 3 inches taller and acts like they barely know you, preferring instead to sit in the corner on their phone. The parents (also uncharacteristically are late in picking them up. This adolescent seems upset when the parents are still not there as you are trying to lock up. The student would identify aspects of developmental psychology (identified in this course and through research) that help explain this and then offer possible interpretations and courses of action.
Do the above for two distinct developmental stages.
The last section of the paper explores the student's self-awareness in choosing the populations that they did. Identify aspects about yourself that draw you to certain populations. Explore the process of the paper for you and offer what insights you may have gained through the exercise.