Course Catalogue

LJMU Partner Taught

To explore how theories of early childhood development and learning impact upon work based practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to observe and assess children’s learning and development in the light of current social policy and practice.

Outline Syllabus:Theories and principles of children’s learning and holistic development in the Early Years. The use of a variety of observation techniques to assess children’s learning and development. The importance of objectivity, reliability, validity and confidentiality in the observation process. Atypical development and the role of agency partnership working in supporting children’s learning and development. Current Social Policy and Legislation and its impact on the role of the early years practitioner and young children’s learning and development. The importance of children learning through play.

Additional Information:This module focuses upon established theories of children’s learning and development within the early year’s age range (0-8). Whilst recognising that the current Early Years curriculum covers the 0-5 age range, students need to be aware of developmental stages up to the age of 8 years for assessment purposes. This module is not going to focus upon specific curricular aspects of planning; this will be studied in the Early Years Education module. Throughout this module, emphasis will be on observation and monitoring of an individual child’s progress as part of work based learning. (This module underpins the knowledge and skills required of the Professionals within the Early Years to fully engage in the Early Years Education module).