Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up)BA (Hons)

Debating Children and Childhood

This module aims to examine a range of theories relating to social constructions of childhood and the implications of this for Early Years practice. It will consider representations of children and childhood, including those in the media. It will consider a range of historical, cultural, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on early childhood such as feminism and post-modernism and including lived global childhoods and majority world perspectives

This module aims to enable students to:
 Examine social constructions of infancy and childhood and the implications of these for Early Years practice
 Critically evaluate how infants, children and childhood are represented
 Consider the global, cultural, historical and economic context of early childhood and how issues of discrimination and inequality impact on young children’s lives
 Examine contemporary debates in relation to early childhood

Early Childhood Studies Project

Students undertake a piece of independent research and study an area of particular interest in early childhood studies.

This module offers an opportunity for independent study and aims to enable students to:
 Develop further professionally by pursuing a line of study which arises out of an aspect of her/his work with young children.
 Extend professional competence by developing a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and early childhood practice
 Gain experience of the processes and methodological and ethical issues involved in conducting and completing a piece of research
 Design, execute and evaluate a small-scale research project and experience supervised independent study of an extended nature.
 Develop further professionally by pursuing a line of study which arises out of an aspect of her/his work with young children.
 Extend professional competence by developing a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and early childhood practice
 Develop some of the skills required for post graduate study

Leading Practice with Children, Families and Professionals

This module will critically evaluate a range of theories and current perspectives on the distinctive features of leading practice within early years. This will include the various ways of managing, supporting and developing teams. It will examine the role of the early years practitioner in leading and improving practice. Working in partnership with parents and other professionals will also be examined. It will investigate the various concepts of families and parenting in a historical and socio-cultural context.

This core module enables students to:
 Examine the role of leaders, practitioners and other professionals when leading practice and developing quality provision.
 Observe, reflect on, and critically analyse practice in relation to young children’s well-being.
 Critically evaluate concepts of families and parenting in a historical and socio-cultural context.
 Consider the key role of parents and the key person in supporting children’s wellbeing, learning and development.
 Examine a range of theories in relation to leadership and leading practice, particularly in developing and supporting teams.
 Explore the range of professionals involved in the provision of early years services and explore some of the challenges and barriers faced when working with other professionals.

Reading Research and Research Methods in Early Childhood

This module focuses upon the main research methodologies used in the study of early childhood, preparing students for their own research projects as well as enabling them to read and critique the research of others.

This core module aims to enable students to:

- Develop the ability to describe, analyse and constructively critique the major research methodologies in the field of early childhood studies
- Develop an awareness of ethics in relation to research
- Apply skills in designing their own research projects
- Develop skills in critiquing published research