Early Childhood Studies explores the development, needs, rights and education of children. Students develop knowledge and understanding of children through analysing key concepts and theories. They also consider the importance and interrelationships among child health, children’s behaviour, children's well-being, and learning frameworks. Students investigate contemporary issues affecting children across a range of communities and contexts. This course will prepare students for further study and work in education and care, as well as parenting. The knowledge, skills and understandings gained in this course have the potential to benefit children and society as a whole.
Students examine how children play and learn. They investigate perspectives on play, including contemporary, cross-cultural, and historical research, to understand its role in childhood. They examine the role of play in child development and a child’s right to play.
Students examine a range of cultural, historical, political, and philosophical perspectives on childhood. They analyse the applications and consequences of those perspectives for children’s experiences, and how these have changed over time and across places.
Students examine the domains of child development and theories of development. They examine the significance of relationships in child development. Students investigate research on neurological development in children.
Students examine the factors that affect children's health and well-being at different stages of childhood. They understand that childhood is a unique and intense period for growth and development, and apply that understanding to consider the emotional and physical well-being of children