Theme I: Experiencing Learning
Unit 3: Growth and Development
CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
3. In class, have students compare “shopping trips,” their findings, and feelings about the
experience.
• What did they notice about the price of the children’s toys?
• Which age was the easiest to shop for?
• Which age was the most difficult to shop for?
• Which manufacturer's products seemed to consistently be good bargains
and developmentally appropriate for the age recommendations on the toy? Which were
not?
• How difficult was it to find the items on the shopping list?
Materials:
• Handout: “A Trip to the Toy Store”
• Handout: “A Shopping Check List for Toys”
• Teacher Resource: video clips on all things dealing with parenting- including safe
and appropriate toys. http://www.expertvillage.com/about_11_parenting.htm
• Optional: Catalogs with Toys
Assessment:
Instructors may choose one or more of the following assessments.
1. Students will write a reflective essay based on their toy store experience by answering the
following questions:
a. Overall, was there any toy that stood out so strongly that you felt it was truly the
ideal toy because of its developmental appropriateness? Explain.
b. What advice would you give to toy manufacturers that would help them better
meet the play needs of all children and assist parents in making wise toy selections?
2. Imagine that you are a young parent, you have little money to purchase toys, but you are
determined to fill your pre-school aged child's toy chest with developmentally appropriate
toys using items found around the house. Name the items you will place in the toy chest,
and include an explanation of why each is developmentally appropriate for your child.
3. Prepare a poster to display your research about the toys and provide a “mini-presentation”
on your findings.
Time:
15 minutes to present the lesson; three homework days out of class to research
information;
40 minutes for class presentations and discussions
Standard:
I.3.5: Students will apply an understanding or knowledge of the developmental changes
of learners.
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