Assignment Overview
Throughout this course, we have explored how children develop physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and linguistically from conception through adolescence. For this final observation assignment, you will have the opportunity to connect developmental theory to real life by interviewing an adolescent and analyzing their responses through the lens of child development.
The goal of this assignment is to help you better understand how adolescents think, feel, solve problems, form relationships, and view themselves and the world around them. By engaging in a meaningful conversation with a young person, you will gain firsthand insight into the developmental characteristics associated with middle childhood and adolescence.
This assignment also provides an opportunity to observe non-verbal communication, body language, facial expressions, and emotional responses—important aspects of development that cannot always be captured through written responses alone.
Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment, you will:
- Apply developmental theories to a real child or adolescent
- Analyze cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional development
- Practice observation and interviewing skills
- Connect course concepts to real-world experiences
- Evaluate whether developmental characteristics are consistent with typical expectations for the child's age and stage
Selecting Your Interview Participant
You will interview a child or adolescent between the ages of:
8–16 Years Old
Your interview should be conducted:
In person
OR
Through a live video platform such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet
Important
You must be able to observe:
- Facial expressions
- Body language
- Emotional reactions
- Non-verbal communication
Text messages, emails, or written questionnaires are not acceptable for this assignment.
Part I: Background Information
Include the following information in your final paper:
Participant Information
- First name only
- Age
- Gender
Family Information
Provide a brief description of:
- Family structure
- Parents or guardians living in the home
- Siblings (ages and genders)
- General socioeconomic background (if known)
Additional Context
Include any additional information that may help explain the participant's responses, experiences, or developmental context.
Part II: Interview Questions
Take handwritten or typed notes during the interview.
You may ask the questions in any order and adapt your wording to match the age and developmental level of the child.
Required Questions
- How do you feel about yourself physically? Have you noticed any changes in yourself recently?
- What do you think is one of the biggest problems facing the world today? What could people do to help solve it?
- What is something that worries or concerns you right now? How do you handle or cope with that concern?
- How do you choose your friends? What qualities are important in a friend?
- What activities do you enjoy doing with your friends?
- What are your future goals or career aspirations?
- When you have to make an important decision, who or what helps guide your decision-making?
- If someone asked you, "Who are you?" how would you describe yourself in two or three sentences?
Student-Generated Questions
Create and ask three additional questions of your own.
These questions should help you learn more about the adolescent's:
- Thoughts
- Feelings
- Experiences
- Identity
- Relationships
- Goals
- Development
This will give you a total of 11 interview questions.
Part III: Developmental Analysis
After completing the interview, write a 2–3 page analysis discussing your observations and conclusions.
Your Analysis Should Address:
Developmental Evaluation:
Based on the interview responses and your observations:
- Does the child or adolescent appear developmentally typical for their age?
- Why or why not?
Connections to Course Concepts:
Use course readings, developmental theories, and lecture materials to support your analysis.
Consider discussing:
- Cognitive development (Piaget)
- Psychosocial development (Erikson)
- Identity development
- Peer relationships
- Moral development
- Emotional development
- Family influences
- Bronfenbrenner's ecological influences
Observational Insights:
Discuss what you observed beyond the verbal responses.
Consider:
- Body language
- Eye contact
- Confidence level
- Emotional reactions
- Communication style
- Comfort discussing different topics
Reflection:
What did you learn about adolescent development through this interview?
Did anything surprise you?
How did this experience deepen your understanding of middle childhood or adolescence?
Submission Requirements
Submit to Canvas:
Part I
Background Information
Part II
Interview Notes (typed or scanned copy of your original notes)
Part III
2–3 Page Developmental Analysis
Assignment Expectations
Your analysis should:
✔ Demonstrate understanding of developmental theory
✔ Use specific examples from the interview
✔ Connect observations to course concepts
✔ Include developmental vocabulary from the course
✔ Be well organized and proofread
✔ Maintain confidentiality by using only the participant's first name
Due Date
Submit all components to Canvas no later than:
July 12, 2026
Because this assignment requires scheduling an interview and completing an analysis, students are strongly encouraged to begin early.
Tips for Success
💡 Choose someone who is comfortable talking with you.
💡 Ask follow-up questions when appropriate.
💡 Listen more than you talk.
💡 Pay attention to facial expressions and body language.
💡 Take detailed notes during the interview.
💡 Use your textbook and course theories to support your analysis.
💡 Remember that your goal is not to judge the participant but to better understand how developmental concepts appear in real life.
Final Thought
One of the best ways to understand child and adolescent development is to spend time talking with children and adolescents themselves. Their thoughts, concerns, relationships, goals, and perspectives provide a window into the developmental processes we have studied throughout this semester.
Approach this interview with curiosity, respect, and an open mind. You may be surprised by what you learn.