Year 2 (national level 5):
Critically explore, examine and evaluate the significance of the cultural, historical and contemporary features of various policies, institutions and agencies regarding childhood. Plan for and implement play, the curriculum, assessment, evaluation, and improvement of creative learning opportunities, taking into account children's health and emotional wellbeing. Reflect upon the ethics of studying children and their families and communities through field work. Become more independent, resilient, responsible and pragmatic, and develop as an autonomous learner.
Core modules:
- The Child and the Economic and Social Environment (20 credits)
Explore the relationship between the child and the economic and social environment. Gain an understanding of some of the key ideas and concepts around how the economy and society impacts on the lives of children, both positively and negatively. Examine the environment from a variety of historical, sociological, anthropological and philosophical perspectives. Explore a variety of family situations and cultural and social influences on children. Consider the wider influences of community and society on the child, paying attention to the physical milieu, including the effects of housing, population density and the environmental setting.
- Health and Childhood (20 credits)
Examine a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to the holistic health and wellbeing of children by learning about current health initiatives highlighted within government priorities, agendas and social policy. Adopt a thematic approach to interpret key health debates and learn about the multifaceted nature of children’s well-being. Explore themes which include social, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing in respect of recent advances in contemporary health research.
- Observing, Assessing and Reporting Young Children’s Learning and Development (20 credits)
Develop a good understanding of the role of observing, assessing and reporting in young children’s learning and development. Identify and evaluate different assessment techniques and analyse different ways of reporting children’s progress.
- Creative Approaches to Children’s Learning and Development (20 credits)
Address the use of stories in the primary school classroom with an overview of the theoretical frameworks underpinning the use of texts in a range of subjects and their potential to strengthen understanding of key concepts. Explore the structure of a story, the links that can be made with different subjects and the impact these have upon children’s learning and socio-emotional development. Gain an understanding of the use of project and topic work in the primary school classroom and identify the importance of qualities such as problem-solving and creativity in class. Explore outdoor learning and its use in primary schools, focusing on approaches to sustainability in education.
- Teaching and Learning across the Curriculum (20 credits)
Explore the foundations of schooling, learning about historical context from the end of the 19th century and 20th and 21st centuries. Identify ‘learning practices’ in school and how these fit within different curriculum models and how they reflect different learning theories (e.g. behaviourist, constructivist, social constructivist, etc.). Learn more about the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage in terms of their structure and discuss their relevance and impact upon children’s learning.
- Observing, Assessing and Reporting Young Children’s Learning and Development with Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (20 credits)
Develop a good understanding of the role of observing, assessing and reporting in young children’s learning and development. Identify and evaluate different assessment techniques and analyse different ways of reporting children’s progress.
- Researching Childhood (20 credits)
Explore key ideas and perspectives relevant to research in the area of Childhood Studies. Develop knowledge and understanding about key research approaches that have informed the development of knowledge relating to childhood studies and children’s experiences. Consider how different positions on childhood have influenced research approaches historically as well as in contemporary research. Evaluate a range of key research projects, considering the key methodological approaches and the methods used within them, as well as reflecting upon ethical considerations in childhood research.
- Children and Young People in Global Contexts (20 credits)
Examine a range of theoretical perspectives that are relevant to global experiences of children and young people in a range of cultures and countries. Take a thematic approach to exploring issues that include poverty, work, education, health and war, as well as analysing the impact of social, cultural and political circumstances. Critically appraise specific themes in relation to the impact of a range of influences and issues on the lived experiences of children and young people.
