Availabilities:

Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour Session 1,  2 Session 1,  2
Gold Coast Session 1,  2 Session 2
Lismore Session 1,  2 Session 1,  2
Online Session 1,  2 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Education

Co-requisites

be enrolled in or already completed EDU10128 - Introduction to Teaching

Unit aim

Focuses on students acquiring an understanding of how different theoretical positions inform understandings of the development and learning of children and young people. The primary aim of this unit is to develop critical reflection skills as a key attribute of a professional educator

Unit content

Topic 1 An overview of theory: theoretical perspectives and discourses 
Topic 2 Theories of cognition part I 
Topic 3 Theories of cognition part II 
Topic 4 Theories of physical development part I 
Topic 5 Theories of physical development part II 
Topic 6 Theories relating to social and emotional development part I 
Topic 7 Theories relating to social and emotional development part II 
Topic 8 Ethological theories 
Topic 9 Theories of social context 
Topic 10 Understanding theory to inform practice.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 summarise the key aspects of development in the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains across infant and toddler, preschool, middle childhood and adolescence
2 outline how observations and documentation are used to understand children's learning
3 identify how different theoretical perspectives inform understandings of the development and learning of children and young people
4 show how theories that inform learning and development are implemented in learning and teaching contexts
5 reflect on their approach to learning and teaching, the challenges they face and the learning competencies they need to achieve to succeed in their study and career as an early childhood professional or primary teaching professional.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. summarise the key aspects of development in the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains across infant and toddler, preschool, middle childhood and adolescence
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  2. outline how observations and documentation are used to understand children's learning
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  3. identify how different theoretical perspectives inform understandings of the development and learning of children and young people
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. show how theories that inform learning and development are implemented in learning and teaching contexts
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  5. reflect on their approach to learning and teaching, the challenges they face and the learning competencies they need to achieve to succeed in their study and career as an early childhood professional or primary teaching professional.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:

Prescribed texts

  • Berk, L, 2013, Child development, 9th edn, Pearson, New Jersey. ISBN: 13:97-0-205-19766-88.

  • Berk, L, 2013, Child development, 9th edn, Pearson, New Jersey. ISBN: 13:97-0-205-19766-88.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.