EDF2033 - Learning with children, their families and communities - 2017

This unit explores children's learning development within the context of their family and communities. The theoretical and practical context of how children learn from birth to eight years of age is explored to support students' capacity for building effective relationships. The focus is on the implications of development for learning and teaching in relation to contemporary issues impacting on children's learning with their family and communities. All aspects of learning and teaching in these early years is examined through participation in problem-based learning scenarios and observed case studies where students analyse and apply knowledge of children, family and communities. Students learn to understand how theoretical and contemporary real-life issues relate to the development of children's learning, and they develop their ability to design innovative learning with children, their families and communities.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. develop a critical understanding of theoretical and practical interrelationships of diverse children's learning development and their broader family and social context, including children from different socio-economic, cultural and language backgrounds
2. assess the impact of contemporary real-life issues on children's learning development in the context of multicultural families and communities
3. observe sensitively and analyse general and specific children's learning behaviours and skills that can be used in planning and evaluation of support/learning strategies
4. demonstrate the ability to design innovative learning with children, their families and communities
5. exhibit knowledge of teaching and learning strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of children from a range of linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.

Problem-based learning written analysis of young children's learning in family and community contexts (1600 words, 40%)

Report on critical observation of examples of two diverse young children's learning in different family and community contexts (2400 words, 60%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester/term comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 hours per week
2. Requirements for on-campus block City-based students:
   • one intensive weekend block
   • at least 4 hours of active online engagement in Moodle activities per term
3. Requirements for offshore Kaplan-based students:
   • one intensive block (usually from Thursday to Sunday)
   • at least 4 hours of online study per term
4. Additional requirements (all students):
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Hilary Monk

Early years education

Early years and primary education