Development of Young Children
6 ECTS
Development of Young Children
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
Module Description
In this module, students will explore the key areas of young children’s development — physical, social, emotional, linguistic, and cognitive — and discuss how these areas are interconnected and influence each other.
Students will examine major theories of child development and learn about the milestones of early childhood, starting from prenatal and neonatal stages, through infancy and toddlerhood. The module also introduces the role of genetics and other factors that shape development, including the family, school, community, and broader environment.
Through real-life scenarios, students will analyse how their role as ECE and childcare practitioners can support or hinder development, and reflect on how everyday decisions in ECE settings impact young children’s growth and learning.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course will possess:
- A qualification at MQF level 4 and SEC/Ordinary Level passes in Mathematics, English, and Maltese.
- In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the RPL process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning, related to the area of study of this programme, is found then the applicant could still be accepted in the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA College, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
IDEA College’s RPL policy can be accessed through this link
Target Audience
This programme has the following target groups:
- Individuals who are approaching the field of Early Childhood Education.
- Individuals looking to work in the capacity of childcare educators.
Career Paths
This programme aims to equip the target audience with the knowledge, skills and competences listed.
The possible posts that this course prepares for: Childcare educator.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Analyse how developmental theories can be applied in the ECE and Care setting.
- Analyse recent and ongoing strategies and resources used by ECE and Care practitioners which promote child development.
- Manage key milestones in child development (neonatal, prenatal, etc.)
- Assess the role of the ECE and Care practitioner in light of how this can help and promote child development.
- Carry out a review of the literature on the different stages of child development.
- Collaborate with other course participants and participate in discussions about how to use an array of resources to promote healthy and holistic child development.
- Identify normative development stages and the external factors which help or hinder such stages.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Be familiar with the different stages of holistic child development in the first seven years of the life of the young child.
- Consolidate knowledge about ways of how the surrounding environment can be used to promote healthy and holistic child development.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the canonical theories and proponents of child development.
- Know the relevant policies which may affect or which are directly related to child development and its milestones.
- Learn about how to use an array of tools and resources to support development in ECE and Care.
- Understand the links and divergences between the genetic and environmental effects on the development of the young child.
- Know how the other children and the adults working within the ECE and Care setting may affect the development of the young child.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Analyse situations in various ECE and Care settings in Malta which may have helped or hindered child development and potential solutions for such situations.
- Evaluate various ways of how to use observations (as a pedagogical tool) to analyse child development.
- Identify challenges and barriers to create an environment which is not only conducive to learning, but which respects and promotes child development.
- Investigate how adults within ECE and Care settings (practitioners) and outside ECE and Care settings (parents/legal guardians) may support child development.
- Identify and propose different ways in which practitioners and parents can communicate to address and discuss specific milestones within child development.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Assess how policy documents can address holistic child development.
- Establish a positive attitude towards researching the different stages and milestones of child development.
- Use various ways to examine and assess different resources which are appropriate to support and enhance the development of children.
- Reflect on various interventions which are used to safeguard the development of children.
- Interpret specific child development milestones to be able to provide differentiated and personalised pedagogies suitable to the different milestones.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Carry out academic research on websites (e.g. Google Scholar) or journals (e.g. EBSCO, Taylor & Francis, SAGE, etc.).
- Develop a reference list using the Microsoft application in-built function.
- Navigate the Internet for policy documents, legislation, etc., related to child development.
- Navigate through the online learning platform to download and upload assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.
- Use basic Microsoft office (or equivalent) applications in order to write and submit assignments.
- Use several academic software (e.g. Mendeley) to enhance the academic and research experience.