In this assignment, you will use the following transferable skills:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Information literacy

This assignment will demonstrate your ability to make sophisticated use of information, including primary source material. In addition, your synthesis and/or evaluation skills will be combined with your knowledge, application, and/or analysis skills. This will be demonstrated by connecting research articles on child development theory and best practices with an explanation of how the findings can strengthen the early childhood field.

To complete this assignment, do the following:

1. Review research studies from the last 5 years related to the following:
   1. Review two (2) research studies related to how teaching practices support high-quality programming for children and families.
   2. Review two (2) research studies related to how child development theory and principles relate to best practices.
   3. The studies must be from a variety of credible, high-quality sources and you must determine probable accuracy by questioning sources of data, the limitations of resources, and the reasonableness of the conclusions.
2. In a minimum of four (4) pages, not counting title and references pages, do the following:
   1. Analyze the research findings and explain the following:
      • Why the study sources are credible
      • Why you feel the information is accurate
      • Whether you think the conclusions are reasonable (and why)
   2. Synthesizing the research findings with your own knowledge, identify three (3) of your own ideas for how to strengthen the early childhood field in terms of teacher-child interactions, parent partnerships, and curriculum planning. Identify which of your three ideas you feel would be the most effective and explain why.

Use a professional tone appropriate for early childhood educators.

Your paper must be APA formatted including a title page and reference page. Be sure to cite all of your sources according to APA Guidelines as well. For help with formatting and citations, visit the APA Guide.

Submit your completed assignment to the drop box below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

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