Pen Green Centre for children and their families

The aims of this module are to enable students to…

• Develop a broad understanding of child development.
• Confidently understand how reflective practice supports the idea of children as learners.
• Know and reflect on own values, beliefs and practice.

In this module you will complete a child study. You will use frameworks to analyse observations of the child in your study, identifying their current learning and future steps.

You will be introduced to significant and emerging theories for example Schema, Well-Being and Involvement.

You will reflect upon and consider your values and ideas in relation to how children learn.

You will explore the pioneers of Early Childhood and Education, developing your understanding of how their work has influenced practice, and where historical perspectives have been developed and/or challenged.

You will have opportunities to experience and critique a range of observational techniques with a view to identifying those that you ay want to use in your practice.

You will build on the knowledge gained in your previous module.

This module is assessed on coursework (pass/fail).

The expectation is that students attend all scheduled learning and teaching sessions.

If there are exceptional circumstances which result in a student being unable to fulfill this, the student should discuss these with the Course Lead.

Programme/module requirements, including those attendance, must be met and students are responsible for making good work missed through absence.

Knowledge and Understanding:

Successful students will typically:

• Know and understand child development from conception to five years, understanding how theory influences practice and practice influences theory
• Know and understand how to apply a range of child development theories.
• Know and understand the importance of working with children and families in an ethically sound manner.

Skills and Attributes:

Successful students will typically:

• Know and understand a range of observational techniques, and recognise the rationale for any chosen technique.
• Know and understand how to apply theory to observations and understand the connection between observation, assessment and planning.
• Know and understand how to reflect on own practice and identify strengths and areas for development.

Scheduled Teaching, campus−based activities in general teaching spaces (e.g.lectures, 20 seminars, tutorials) 22 hours

Scheduled campus−based activities in specialist teaching spaces (e.g practical classes, 25 workshops, demonstrations) 10 hours

Directed independent study 60 hours

Self-directed independent study 200 hours

Total hours 300

You will be introduced to relevant reading materials. Referencing techniques and ethical considerations will be explored and reflected upon throughout the module.