Overview
Critically evaluates a range of pedagogical approaches to early childhood education, and explores how these approaches influence teachers’ thinking about children’s learning and development in the early years.
This paper critically evaluates a range of pedagogical approaches to early childhood education, and explores how these approaches influence teachers' thinking about children's learning and development in the early years.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education |
|---|---|
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.2500 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $2,498.25 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- PGCertEdLn, PGDipEdLn, MEdLn, BA(Hons), PGDipArts, MA(Coursework), MA(Thesis)
- Notes
- (i)Students outside of the approved programmes, with 54 300-level EDUC points, may be admitted with approval from the Dean of the College of Education. (ii)This paper is normally available in alternate years.
- Eligibility
- To successfully complete this paper, students will need either a background in education studies with a focus on early childhood or teaching experience in an early childhood centre.
- Contact
- postgrad.education@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
We will consider the following kinds of topics and expect students will bring their own ideas to the curriculum as well:
- A socio-historical-cultural examination of thinking, scholarship and practice in pedagogy, including students' own theories of pedagogy and of national and international trends
- Relationships between pedagogy and socio-historical-cultural shifts in thinking about children, childhood, learning, teaching and early childhood education (research and policy based)
- Research, scholarship and theory of pedagogy
- Interrelatedness of pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and learning: implications for teachers' practice and children's learning
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
The paper is offered via distance delivery only; however, face-to-face meetings in person or online will be expected. Online video conferencing with students in other regions will be expected and a schedule of approximately 6 online hui will be negotiated at the start of the course.
- Textbooks
Students will be expected to access required readings via the library and the internet and to source their own relevant readings.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyse, appraise, compare and contrast different theoretical and research perspectives on pedagogy
- Critically explain socio-historical-cultural influences on pedagogy, including implications for teachers' practices
- Appraise and explain relationships between theories of pedagogy and theories of learning in and for early childhood education
- Assessment details
There are three assignments, all of which can build on each other. First up will be an annotated bibliography of about 10-15 studies on a topic of student choice related to socio-historical-cultural research and theory around pedagogy. Then an essay on the student identified topic will be prepared (5,000-7,000 words) and followed up with the third assessment, which will be a poster presentation (online) of the inquiry.