E232 Exploring Childhood and Youth Tutor-Marked Assignment 01 | The Open University

University The Open University (OU)
Subject E232: Exploring Childhood and Youth

TMA 01 Part A (worth 80% of the marks for TMA 01)

Read the following article:

Trejo Trello, K. (2023) ‘Fixing the global childhood obesity epidemic begins with making healthy choices the easier choices – and that requires new laws and policies’, The Conversation.
Available at: https://theconversation.com/ fixing-the-global-childhood-obesity-epidemic-begins-with-making-healthy-choices-the-easier-choices-and-that-requires-new-laws-and-policies-207975 (Accessed 4 March 2025).

In your own words, outline the key ideas and arguments reported by Trejo Trello (2023) and discuss how these ideas relate to relevant module materials.
(1000 words)

Part B (worth 20% of the marks for TMA 01)

Reflect on your learning, and your motivations for studying childhood and youth. (500 words)

This reflective piece of writing should include the following:
a. Describe your own particular interests in childhood and youth which motivated you to study this module, or the qualification you are studying.
b. Describe one unit from Block 1 of the module materials so far that has influenced, reinforced or changed your views on a particular topic.
c. Identify two specific areas relating to Part A of your assignment on which you would like feedback from your tutor.

Your TMA will be marked according to the marking criteria. Please copy and paste the Word version of the marking table to the end of your assignment, so that your tutor can use it to provide feedback.

Before you start work on your TMA, make sure that you have read all the guidance notes set out on the following pages. If you want to see all the guidance at once, use the ‘View as single page’ option (with the ‘eye’ icon next to it) on the left of the screen. You can also print this page if you wish.

You must include both parts of the TMA in one Word document and submit this to your tutor via the eTMA system by Thursday 20 November 2025.

As an OU student, you have free access to Microsoft Word as part of Microsoft Office 365.

This TMA is worth 10% of your total module grade.

Do You Need Assignment of This Question

Marking criteria

Your tutor will be using the marking criteria outlined in the table below to decide your mark for TMA 01. Ensure that you read the different criteria and keep them in mind when completing your assignment. Before submitting your assignment, compare what you have written to each of the criteria listed in the table. What band do you think you deserve and why? Is there anything you could do before submission that would improve that?

Most of the marking criteria are generic and will apply to all the assignments on this module, so use your feedback to see which areas you may need to improve upon for next time. Some criteria are specific to this particular TMA.

Remember to copy and paste this marking table to the end of your assignment. Please use the Word version of the table to do this.

View large table

E232 TMA 01 marking criteria

GENERIC MARKING CRITERIA

CriteriaPass 1 (85–100)Pass 2 (70–84)Pass 3 (55–69)Pass 4 (40–54)Fail (0–39)
Focus on the questionFully and explicitly focused on the question throughout.Most of the answer is well focused on the question.Answer mostly relevant to question but relevance is not always made explicit. May discuss the general topic area rather than the specific question.Limited focus on the question, but some potentially relevant material used. Able to identify and address main issues raised by the question.Very limited or no focus on the question.
Knowledge and understanding of module materialExcellent knowledge and understanding of wide range of relevant module material (and other relevant sources where required).Good knowledge and understanding of a range of relevant module material (and other relevant sources where required).Fair knowledge and understanding of the most relevant module material (and other relevant sources where required). May be some minor inaccuracies or misunderstandings.Knowledge and understanding of some module material (and other relevant sources where required). Inaccuracies or misunderstandings present.Very little or no knowledge or understanding of module material (and other relevant sources where required).
Critical analysis and evaluationShows high level of critical analysis and evaluation of different viewpoints.Evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of different viewpoints.Mainly descriptive. Some evidence of critical analysis or evaluation of different viewpoints.Heavily descriptive. Little evidence of critical analysis or evaluation.Entirely descriptive. Very little or no evidence of critical analysis or evaluation.
Structure and argumentVery well-structured, coherent and logical argument.Clearly structured argument.Adequate structure; argument may be unclear at times.Lacks structure or clear argument.Very limited or no structure.
Use of evidence and referencesAlmost all points supported by relevant and well-chosen evidence. Complete and accurate referencing.Most points supported by relevant evidence from module materials. Mostly complete and accurate referencing.Some use of appropriate evidence from module materials to support points. Mostly complete and accurate referencing but with some errors.Some attempt to use evidence but limited or lacking in relevance. Some attempt at referencing, with errors or gaps.Very little or no use of evidence. Inadequate or missing referencing.
Clarity of writingConcise and highly accurate, combined with an appropriate academic style.Clear writing in appropriate academic style.Generally clear writing. Some points may be unclear. Less academic style in places.Many points unclear. Writing may be informal or lack academic style.Writing difficult to understand. Inaccuracies and inconsistencies that affect meaning.

SPECIFIC MARKING CRITERIA FOR TMA 01 PART B

CriteriaPass 1 (85–100)Pass 2 (70–84)Pass 3 (55–69)Pass 4 (40–54)Fail (0–39)
Reflection on interest in childhood and youthVery clear analysis of interest/motivations. Explicit connections between learning experience and previous other personal/learning experiences.Clear analysis of interest/motivations. Some connections made between previous experience and current motivations.Broad description of interest/motivations but analysis lacks depth.Some description of interest/motivations. Limited analysis and/or awareness of connections.Very limited or no discussion of relevant interest/motivations.
Reflection on viewsExcellent critical reflection on how and why views have been influenced and/or changed. Explicit and relevant links to module material considered.Good reflection on how and why views have been influenced, reinforced and/or changed. Specific aspects of module material considered.Some reflection of how views have been influenced, reinforced and/or changed. Some reference to module material.Some description of how views have been influenced, reinforced and/or changed. Limited reference to module material.Very limited or no discussion of how views have been influenced, reinforced and/or changed.
Identification of areas for feedbackClear identification of areas for feedback. A strong and focused awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.Clear identification of areas for feedback. A good awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.Areas for feedback identified. Limited areas identified for feedback.Very limited or no areas identified for feedback.

Buy Answer of This Assessment & Raise Your Grades

Part A guidance

Part A of this TMA asks you to apply the knowledge you have developed over Block 1 to an article. This is designed for you to make connections between your study and wider issues, as well as considering sources of information.

The stimulus for this TMA is an article from The Conversation, which describes itself as an independent source of news analysis and informed comment written by academic experts, working with professional journalists who help share their knowledge with the world.

The TMA question asks:
In your own words, outline the key ideas and arguments reported by Trejo Trello (2023) and discuss how these ideas relate to relevant module materials. (1000 words)

Getting started

Before starting work on this TMA, you should make sure that you have read the general advice on assignments in the Assessment Guide.
If you are finding academic writing difficult, you may find resources in the Help Centre useful.
Hints and tips for essay planning can be found in the “How to plan an academic essay” booklet in Resources as well as the pre-recorded “Planning your essay” tutorial.

When approaching this TMA question, you may want to think about what key messages the article might be trying to convey. You may want to consider the key arguments reported and how these link to ideas about embodiment and food practices.

Although the focus of this TMA is your study of Weeks 3 and 5, you can make links across Block 1 if appropriate.

We recommend that you attend an online tutorial, where tutors will cover key themes of the block, including advice on planning and writing assignments, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

If you are unable to attend a tutorial, you can watch a recording that will cover the content of the tutorial. You can view and book onto tutorials, and view recordings, in the Tutorials area.

In addition, if you have specific questions about your assignment, you can also book to attend an optional E232 TMA Surgery (book via the Tutorials area). This session allows you to ask specific questions that you have about the TMA. It will have a flexible format, led by the queries and questions that you raise rather than delivering a presentation about the TMA. This question-and-answer style ‘surgery session’ does not replace other tutorials, nor does it cover study skills such as referencing. Instead, it aims to provide an additional space to raise and discuss any prepared questions that you may have about the TMA.
TMA surgery sessions will not be recorded.

Relevant module materials

Prioritising reading and making decisions about what to include and leave out of your answer are important processes in the development of your academic skills as a level 2 student.

As a starting point, you are encouraged to revisit and review the following relevant module materials and activities:

  • Week 3: Children’s bodies

  • Week 5: Food and identity, including Chapter 4 of the module book, Food, eating and identities by Mimi Tatlow-Golden.

Reviewing the following activities will help you with the study skills required for this question:

  • Week 1, Session 1.3: How do we know what to believe?

  • Week 2, Session 2.4: Activity 2 Defining and explaining terms

  • Preparing for TMA 01, in particular Section 2. Academic voice

Structuring your answer

There is flexibility in how you chose to address each element of the question. You may wish to start with outlining the main ideas and arguments made by Trejo Trello (2023), before discussing how these ideas relate to relevant module materials from Block 1.

Alternatively, you can outline a different point made by Trejo Trello (2023) at the start of each paragraph and discuss each point in relation to relevant module materials throughout the main body of your essay.

Higher marks are awarded for linking ideas to the module materials and evaluation. You should therefore prioritise your word count towards the ‘discussion’ component of this task. Your answer should include a brief introduction and a brief conclusion.

Word count

You should include a word count for this section. In-text citations are included in the word count but the references list is not included. Further details about word-limit policies can be found in the Assessment Guide.

Referencing

Include in-text citations to relevant material and a references list at the end of each part of your assignment. You should provide references for module materials and any other wider reading cited in the main body of your answer. Your in-text citations and the references list should be presented in the Harvard Cite Them Right format.

To ensure that your citations and referencing list are in the correct format, it is better to insert these yourself than to rely on the Microsoft Word referencing function.

Further guidance on referencing can be found in the section on referencing in the Assessment Guide and E232 Referencing Guide and by watching the pre-recorded E232 Referencing Tutorial in the Empty room recordings section of Resources.

A full reference to the Trejo Trello (2023) article should be included in the references list, as follows:

Trejo Trello, K. (2023) ‘Fixing the global childhood obesity epidemic begins with making healthy choices the easier choices – and that requires new laws and policies’, The Conversation, Available at: https://theconversation.com/ fixing-the-global-childhood-obesity-epidemic-begins-with-making-healthy-choices-the-easier-choices-and-that-requires-new-laws-and-policies-207975 (Accessed: 4 March 2025).

If you are referencing the Trejo Trello (2023) article within the body of your text, you should include an in-text citation, for example:

According to Trejo Trello (2023), parents play an important role in teaching their children about healthy eating and the importance of being active.

You will notice that the Trejo Trello (2023) article contains hyperlinks to original research sources, like academic books and journal articles. You are not required to read these, but if you do choose to undertake this wider reading and want to paraphrase or quote from the original sources in your answer, you should reference this material.

Activity 2 in Preparing for TMA 01 will help you to practise referencing before submitting your TMA.
You will also notice that the article contains a YouTube video. You are not required to watch this, but if you choose to do so and wish to quote from this source, you should also reference this. Please keep in mind, however, that the YouTube video should not be your main source of evidence.

Part B guidance

Part B of this TMA asks you to reflect on your learning and your motivations for studying childhood and youth. (500 words)

a. Describe your own particular interest in childhood and youth which motivated you to study this module.
b. Describe one unit from Block 1 of the module materials so far that have influenced, reinforced or changed your views on a particular topic.
c. Identify two specific areas relating to Part A on which you would like feedback from your tutor.

Part B invites you to reflect on your views and understanding of key issues related to childhood, and how these have been extended or changed in response to your learning in Block 1. For instance, you could describe how your understanding of topics covered in the block – such as gender identity, or when childhood begins – have been challenged, if not changed.

Part B also asks you to reflect on your completion of TMA 01 Part A, and to note two specific areas that you would welcome feedback on from your tutor. These could include aspects of your essay where you are unsure if you expressed your points well, or academic skills you struggled with, such as how to summarise key points, structure your answer, or paraphrase material.

Academic voice

In Part B, you should use the first person (‘I’), as you are discussing your own learning.

Word count

You should include a word count for this section. In-text citations are included in the word count but the references list is not included. Further details about word-limit policies can be found in the Assessment Guide.

Referencing

Include in-text citations to relevant material and a references list at the end of this part of your assignment.

A note on writing about personal content in assignments

For some students, studying childhood and youth is motivated by highly personal or sensitive experiences. If this is the case, it is important that you think about how writing about them in the TMA may make you feel.

In deciding on whether to write about personal experiences, it is appropriate that you understand who might read your TMA. Your completed TMA will be read by your tutor, who will give you constructive and supportive feedback. While your tutor will respond sensitively to any issues arising from your writing, tutors are not themselves trained to provide professional support; therefore, they may, where appropriate, suggest other sources of support from the University or from our external partners.

If your tutor is concerned that something they have read indicates a safeguarding issue for a child, young person or vulnerable adult, they have a legal duty of care to refer these concerns to our Safeguarding team at the OU, and they would inform you of the referral.

In addition, a random sample of TMAs are read by another member of staff or the external examiner of the module, as part of our Quality Assurance processes (i.e. to check that the feedback and marking are appropriate). The module team also review any cases where a TMA is flagged by our plagiarism detection software. Of course, most TMAs will only be read by the tutor, but, as you can see from above, some are selected for further reading by other staff.

You are not required to write about very personal motivations for TMA 01 and may choose instead to write about your more general interest in the subject area, from reading or other experiences. However, if you are considering writing about very personal motivations, you can find out more about this in the Assessment Guide.

Relevant materials

The following material will help you with the study skills required for this section:
Preparing for TMA 01, in particular Section 3.

TMA 01

Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2025 The Open University, all rights reserved.

Are You Looking for Answer of This Assignment or Essay

Many Open University students find E232 childhood and youth assignments challenging because they require critical reflection, academic writing, and accurate Harvard referencing. If you struggle with analysing articles like Trejo Trello (2023) or writing reflective sections, expert help can save time and improve grades. At Students Assignment Help UK, we offer AI-free, plagiarism-free tma assignment help written by professionals familiar with OU marking criteria. Explore our childhood studies assignment services, UK University assignment help today.

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