EDF1038 - Introduction to the early childhood education field - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Education

Chief examiner(s)

Robyn Babaeff

Coordinator(s)

Robyn Babaeff

Unit guides

Offered

Peninsula

  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the field of early years education through the exploration of historical and contemporary approaches to the education of young children. Foundational philosophies such as those developed by Dewey, Steiner, Montessori and Petalozzi are critically discussed in relation to their influence on contemporary approaches that inform early childhood education in local and global contexts. Students develop insights into a range of contemporary programs including but not limited to the Reggio Emilia and Forest Schools approaches. In addition students are introduced to practice guidelines and principles relevant to their specific contexts such as the professional code of ethics, curriculum frameworks and policy documents. Understandings of daily practice are informed by the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child to uphold the rights of the child and by ethical considerations for respectful, meaningful and quality education and care for children. Through critique and analysis of historical and contemporary practices, students develop their own emerging personal philosophy of early years education.

Outcomes

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

  1. demonstrate understandings of foundational philosophies and contemporary international approaches that have informed current local early years education practices
  2. demonstrate understanding of policy, practice guidelines and principles in key early years education documents used in local contexts
  3. prepare a well-informed personal learning and teaching philosophy that reflects foundational philosophy and contemporary models of early years education.

Assessment

Group task: Poster presentation with individual reflection - contemporary approaches in early years education (1600 words equivalent, 40%)

Essay: Personal teaching and learning philosophy (2400 words, 60%)

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

  1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
    • 2 hours per week
  2. Additional requirements:
    • 10 hours of independent study per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study