Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify milestones in physical and cognitive development, including the development of language;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key theories, concepts and issues relating to the physical and cognitive development of young children 0 - 8 years;
Demonstrate awareness of the physical and cognitive development of young children in the context of learning within Early Years Frameworks and Primary Curriculum guidance.

Content:

There will be an introduction to a range of relevant theory in relation to physical, cognitive and language developmental research of children from zero to eight years. The sequence, process and nature of pre-natal and post-natal development in the early years will be considered, as will later development in the pre-adolescent and adolescent years and how early experiences may impact on outcome. Infant perception and cognition will be analysed, taking account of recent evidence. Expertise in this area as identified in the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge (2010) and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage will be addressed.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, some of which will be student-led. Students could be expected to prepare for the sessions by reading set texts and completion of tasks set in class or via the VLE and will be expected to take part in a wide range of learning activities.

Students may be required to prepare and present brief presentations as the basis for discussion in seminars or workshops. Formative assessment by self and peers will be integrated into the sessions.

Lectures, seminars and workshops
Contact hours: 33
Intended Group size: Cohort

On-line support and small group tutorials
Contact Hours: 1 (min)
Intended Group size: 6-10

Guided independent study
Hours: 166

Further details relating to assessment
Further information on the Poster Presentation will be contained within the Module Handbook and presented during initial taught sessions.

Assessment 1 - Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Assessment:

001 Poster Presentation 1,500-word equivalent semester 2 wk 9 30%
002 Essay 2,500 words semester 2 wk 14 60%
003 Directed activities semester 2 10%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Marie McAllister
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2