Psychology and Child Development 0-6 Years

Description

This module is designed to enable the learner to examine and understand theories and applications of psychology and child development from birth to six years of age.

A broad overview of childhood development theories will consider maturation, psycho-dynamic, socio-emotional, learning, biological, cognitive, behaviourist, ecological and information processing. The classic theorists include Gesell, Freud, Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, Skinner, Bandura, Bronfrenbrenner, and Chomsky. Recent developments in neuro-science of early childhood provides new insights into child motivation, learning, cognitive processes and action. These include: Shonkoff, Shanker, Gopnik and Shore.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe a broad range of psychological theories.

  2. Identify the influence of biology, social and cultural conditions on babies' and young children’s development

  3. Discuss the application of a broad range of psychological theories to planning, learning and development of activites with children (birth to six years of age).

  4. Identify why observation is important in ECEC settings.

  5. Apply a variety of observation techniques to understand children's development within the ECEC setting.

Credits
10
% Coursework 50%
% Final Exam 50%