Psychology “Egg Baby” Project

Objective: The purpose of this project is to make child developmental theories and concepts more relevant by experiencing some of the responsibilities involved in the care of human “babies” (represented by a fragile object- an egg shell).

Task: Egg Babies will be prepared (using the instructions below) and be cared for at home and school daily for four days.Egg Babies must have a face, name, clothes, and carrier!

Making your Egg Baby

*Note: It is encouraged you take photos of your egg’s “birth,” including important people who were present when he/she was born.

Materials: egg, large sewing needle or puncturing tool, sink with water, small towel

STEP 1:Rinse egg with warm water for 2-3 minutes. Pat dry.

STEP 2: Hold egg firmly in your hand. At the small end of the egg, push the needle through to make a pin-sized hole twisting the needle until it goes through.

STEP 3:On the wide end of the egg, make a hole 2-3 times bigger.

STEP 4: You will have to blow the contents out of your egg in order to be left with a clean (that won’t smell if it is broken) egg. Blow from the smaller hole at the top of your egg to the larger whole at the bottom. As you blow, shake the egg vigorously to break the yolk membrane inside the egg. You will have to force enough air through the hole to get the insides to come out the other end. If nothing comes out, you may need to make the bottom holein your egg larger.

STEP 5:When all of the contents are out, flush out the egg with water. Let water run in the big hole, then blow it out until the contents run clear.

STEP 6:Let the egg dry before decorating it.

* Egg Baby Reminders:

  • Should resemble its parents. - Should have comfortable clothing that will not chafe baby’s skin.
  • Should have safe carrier and be able to breathe.

Egg Baby Parenting

1)CARRYING YOUR BABY TO CLASSES:When you bring your baby to class (or anywhere else) you must provide a carrier for safe transportation. EggBabymay not be in a closed container – they must be able to breathe!

2)EGG BABY CHECK.Each day in class there will be an Egg Baby check. I will be assessing your egg baby’s:

(a) health (cracks, holes, crushed spots)

(b) care (clothes, cleanliness, babysitting log)

(c) safety (carrier). If I receive reliable information about neglect/abuse, points may also be deducted.

The intentional destruction of your or another person’s egg will result in a 0 for your final egg grade.

3). RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISION.Egg babies must never be left unattended. They must always be in safe areas where they can breathe (no lockers, backpacks, closets, etc.). If you must leave them for any reason, you must secure “egg” care for them and keep record of your egg sitter’s name and signature, hours they eggsat, and where YOU were while they eggsat. During classes, make sure your egg is secure and at your desk. If your egg becomes a distraction in any of your classes, you will lose points.

4). DAILY JOURNAL. You should keep a daily journalwhich should include the following information to be included in your final scrapbook:

(1) activities with your egg baby;

(2) encountersyou had with other people and their reactions;

(3) problems you encountered during the course of the day due to caring for egg baby;

(4) developmental stages (be sure to note ages of each stage, and describe each as it relates to your egg baby in as much detail as possible)

Days / Piaget / Erickson / Kohlberg
Day 1 Newborn
0-12 Months / Sensorimotor / Trust v. Mistrust / Preconventional
Day 2 Newborn
12-18 Months / Sensorimotor / Autonomy v. Shame & Doubt / Preconventional
Day 3 Toddler
18 months-3 years / Preoperational / Autonomy v. Shame & Doubt / Preconventional
Day 4 Preschool
3-5 years / Preoperational / Initiative v. Guilt / Preconventional
Day 5 Grade school 5-12 years / Concrete Operational / Competence v. Inferiority / Preconventional
Day 6 Junior High
13-15 years / Formal Operational / Identity v. Role Confusion / Conventional
Day 7 High School
15-18 years / Formal Operational / Identity v. Role Confusion / Postconventional

(5)insights, questions, or predictions you thought about when you might really have your own child in the future; what parenting style have you shown with your egg baby (be honest) what parenting style do you want to have in the future; you should also comment on the moral development of your egg baby (which theory-Kohlberg or Gilligan- supports your views of moral development with textual support), and give predictions for the future of your baby

SUBMISSION:

DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK (ppt, a collection of “eggstagram” screen shots with captions, talk to me about other options)

Create a photo album/scrap book with the details of your week with your egg baby. Be sure to include photos of various milestones, important people in baby’s life, and detailed captions. Incorporate the daily journal requirements.

Psychology “Egg Baby” Project

GRADING

Your grade will be based on your ability to clearly display your understanding of the following AP Psychology Learning Objectives in your scrapbook:

Explain the process of conception and gestation, including factors that influence successful fetal development (e.g., nutrition, illness, substance abuse).

Discuss maturation of motor skills.

Describe the influence of temperament and other social factors on attachment and appropriate socialization.

Explain the maturation of cognitive abilities (e.g., Piaget’s stages, information processing).

Compare and contrast models of moral development (e.g., Kohlberg, Gilligan).

Explain how parenting styles influence development.