Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successfully completing this subject, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major milestones of development in middle childhood; the characteristics of, and major influences on, the area of physical development 6-11 years; the characteristics of, and major influences on, the area of cognitive development 6-11 years; the characteristics of, and major influences on, the area of psychosocial development 6-11 years; the major cultural influences on all three areas of development; the major and current theories explaining the processes of development in middle childhood. Students should have developed skills which will enable them to use developmental profiles for observing children's progress; demonstrate the ability to analyse child behaviour as observed on teaching rounds; delineate ways and means to optimise development in all three aspects of child development, namely the physical, the cognitive and the psychosocial. Students should have developed attitudes which demonstrate a positive attitude towards understanding how children in the stage of middle childhood grow and develop; confidence in their ability to observe, categorise and explain child behaviour; an attitude of enquiry into how best to optimise the development of the children they will care for and teach.
Synopsis The subject aims to make students aware of how children learn and of the educational implications of recent research on child development, cognitive science, learning and teaching. Recent research findings and relevant theories are discussed. There is an emphasis on putting theory into practice in child care, preschool and junior primary settings. Issues to be covered include behavioural views of learning; cognitive views of learning; motivation and classroom management; planning and setting objectives; effective teaching; teaching exceptional students.
Assessment Test: 50% + Examinations: 50%