COURSE:  EXPLORING EARLY CHILDHOOD

 Leader of Learning:  Mr. J. Cunynghame

1 Unit, Content Endorsed Course

Course description:

The Exploring Early Childhood course aims to give students an overview of development and related issues within an early childhood context. It provides the opportunity to consider a range of issues in relation to the individual student, their family and the community. As well as reflecting on the personal relevance of childhood issues, students are encouraged to consider the implications for future interactions with children, be these as a parent, friend, carer or educator.

Course Structure

Exploring Early Childhood comprises a compulsory common core and optional modules. The core comprises 45 indicative hours of study. The optional modules expand on the issues introduced in the compulsory core component. Fourteen optional modules are included in this document.

The time allocated to each optional module is flexible within the range of 15-30 hours. When deciding on the duration of modules consideration should be given to:

·       the time required to achieve the outcomes

·       the level to which outcomes will be achieved

·       the extent to which the module will be explored, and

·       the requirements of TAFE courses for which there may be potential for credit transfer.

A range of courses may be offered as follows:

The 1 Unit HSC EEC course involves 60 hours of study. Modules to be studied are:

Core studies

The core studies are compulsory. There are three parts to the core:

Part A: Pregnancy and Childbirth (15 hrs.)

Part B: Child Growth and Development (20 hrs.)

Part C: Promoting Positive Behaviour (10 hrs.)

Modules

The optional modules can each occupy 15-30 hours (indicative time) of study, depending on student interest, teacher expertise, available resources and intended depth of treatment.

The following optional course modules are included in this document:

1.   Learning Experiences for Young Children

2.   Play and the Developing Child

3.   Starting School

4.   Gender and Young Children

5.   Children and Change

6.   Children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

7.   Historical and Cultural Contexts of Childhood

8.   The Children’s Services Industry

9.   Young Children and Media

10. Young Children and the Law

11. Children’s Literature

12. Food and Nutrition

13. Child Health and Safety

14. Young Children with Special Needs

Practical or other requirements

As this course has a practical as well as a theoretical base, it is considered important and highly desirable that students have the opportunity to interact with young children on a regular basis.

Skill development

Students will develop

• skills in communication and interaction

• skills in research and analysis

• skills in decision making and evaluation

Technology or other requirement

Research techniques using computer technology.

Other information

Exploring Early Childhood is valuable for any student who is involved in child care, who is interested in employment associated with child care or welfare, or who has or is having a child of their own.

Cost: $10.00