EDUC2321: Learning and Development in Childhood

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• To study development and learning in early and middle childhood.

• The module introduces students to key areas of child development which include cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
• It also highlights implications for education and provision in early and middle childhood.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• knowledge and understanding of the main theories of child development and learning.
• knowledge and understanding of key developmental accomplishments specifically related to early childhood.
• an understanding of the range of factors that might influence child development, specifically biological and environmental factors, including cultural factors.
• an ability to understand the significance and limitations of psychological theory and research in context.

Subject-specific Skills:

• analyse complex situations concerning human learning and development in particular contexts, including their own learning;
• provide well-argued, evidence-based conclusions relating to significant and psychological and educational issues;
• question concepts and theories encountered in their studies of childhood development and education;
• interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and empirical research.

Key Skills:

• think critically and independently;
• acquire complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way;
• construct and sustain a reasoned argument;
• communicate effectively with appropriate use of specialist vocabulary;
• use a variety of library and IT resources;
• improve their own learning and performance, including the development of study and research skills, information retrieval, and a capacity to plan and manage learning and to reflect on their own learning;
• work to deadlines.

• Students will be introduced to a range of psychological theories and the underpinning evidence relating to child development and selected cognitive, social and emotional concepts through a lecture and seminar group work programme. Students will not only listen to formal lectures but be expected to engage in reflection and debate through individual and group work exercises.
• Students will further develop their knowledge and understanding, apply and reflect on ideas and further demonstrate key skills through a summative piece of assessment that requires them to evaluate psychological research evidence and its implications for education.

Oral presentations to be given during student-led tutorials. During seminars students will have the opportunity to reflect on the module lecture materials and take part in activities designed to expand their knowledge and understanding of the module topics and develop their criticality skills. In addition, a 500-word outline of the summative assignment to be submitted before the deadline for submission.

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