The course facilitates flexible and innovative ways of learning and teaching to develop your skills and understanding of the integration of theory and practice. You will experience work-based learning opportunities in a variety of settings, including, schools, voluntary organisations, community projects and services that support families and children with special needs.
Students will engage with a broad knowledge base concerned with child development and children in society that will enable further specialisation in education, social services, community work or multidisciplinary support work. The course will also appeal to candidates who already have experience of working with children and families and wish to secure further qualifications to enhance their future career prospects and/or to pursue alternative employment opportunities.
This broad knowledge base enables students to develop the professional skills, confidence and understanding needed to work with children across a range of services, settings and agencies. The strands foster an awareness of the holistic nature of child development, learning, thinking and behaviour and the support that children need.
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Please note the following information for applicants
There are three strands to the course: Child Development, Children in Society and Inquiry into Learning. Within these subject areas there are an extensive range of modules which include the following.
Child Development
- physical development
- development of communication
- cognitive development
- foundation of social relationships
- early childhood
- healthy living
- children interacting with the environment
- issues in adolescence
- creative development
Children in Society
- multi-disciplinary services
- social justice
- history of childhood
- international perspectives
- managing a project
- children and the law
- Diversity and Inclusion
- introduction to counseling and mentoring
Inquiry into Learning
- key skills
- study skills
- critical reflection and analysis
- research techniques
- communication with and presentation to others
- evaluation
- small scale project work
- independent learning and collaborative working
The course aims to provide a forum for exploring the relationship between the child, family and society and to critically examine the impact of diversity and change on the educational development of young children, their everyday lives and on local communities. As each constituent module takes its turn to contribute to a growing range of skills, knowledge and understanding, students will reflect on their own and others' theories and values by testing them against practice. They will also develop them through practical inquiries in a number of different social contexts.
Assessment
The course uses a variety of methods to assess students progress - ranging from assignments, project work, fieldwork, reflective journals and organising a learning conference.
The skills and academic learning from the course enables graduates to take up professions such as teaching assistants, managers of day care nurseries, children's residential workers, behavioural mentors or family support workers.
Many graduates pursue a career in teaching with many progressing onto PGCE Primary courses.
During Year One and Two students will have the opportunity to undertake work-based learning opportunities in a variety of settings including schools, voluntary organisations, community projects, charities, services that support families and children with special needs.
In Year One the placement is UK based but in Year Two students are encourage and supported to organise placements overseas. International placements are ideal in enhancing cultural awareness of childhood and providing an international perspective.
