Early Childhood: Experiences, Policy and Practice (U04452)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : EDU-4-Childhood

There is increasing recognition within policy and research agendas that a child?s earliest years are vital in enabling children to reach their full potential and in giving them the best possible start in life. As a result ensuring quality, effective early years provision within a coherent, integrated and comprehensive system is a high priority for the Scottish Executive. The main thrust of this course is to develop the process of critical understanding and reflection of how theories, policies and practices impact on early childhood education. It provides an opportunity for students to analyse key issues and concepts, which at a major time of social and political change, challenge all services for, and all educators of, young children 0-8 years. The first part of the course concentrates on theoretical, political and social perspectives, both national and international, impacting on early childhood education. The next part of the course utilises these perspectives to critically evaluate curriculum frameworks in children?s learning and development and interrogate the ways in which curriculum frameworks influence provision and practice in young children?s learning and development. Integral to this is the examination of key concepts in the field of early childhood education and care, models of partnership between professional and parents and the place of the community as an important context for learning in the early years. To support students in gaining confidence as critical, reflective professionals, in the final week students are invited to prepare and present a poster presentation relating to current issues in early education.

? Keywords : Early Childhood, Early Years, Young Children Learning, 0-8 years, Education and Care

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Thursday	09:00	12:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to
? demonstrate a sound understanding of the evolving political, social and cultural arenas in which childhood and young children?s learning are located within the context of contemporary Scottish early years education and care
? explore and reflect on the implications of recent research findings and policy frameworks for the roles of early educators
? critically evaluate theoretical perspectives in order to offer analysis of key concepts within early education
? take a critical perspective and interrogate the ways in which curriculum frameworks influence provision and practice in young children?s learning and development
? select and draw on a comprehensive range of sources to extend knowledge and understanding of theory and research and to articulate and justify a developing personal stance on the professional role of educators /practitioners of under 8s

Assessment Information

A 4000 word essay
Assessment Criteria
The University?s Common marking scheme is used for marking course assignments.
Students should demonstrate:
? Thorough and critical awareness of relevant policy, theory and research;
? A well developed critical insight into the significance and limitations of policy, research and factors to the early childhood issues and debates under analysis;
? An ability to question and analyse key concepts underpinning early childhood, learning and development
? A critical understanding of the current debates about the changing roles of parents, early educators, wider professionals and the community in supporting children (0-8 years)
? An ability to reflect critically on implications for their own value syste