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    Overview

    A critical examination of how curriculum is constructed for very young learners in early childhood settings.

    This paper will engage students in a critical analysis of various approaches to curriculum for these very young learners. It will encourage students to examine their image of infants and explore what makes an optimal learning environment for people under the age of three in inclusive settings. Students will explore issues associated with ensuring the health and well-being of both these young children and the adults who work with them in early childhood settings.

    About this paper

    Paper title People Under Three
    Subject Education
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period(s) Semester 1 (On campus)
    Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $937.50
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    (18 EDUC points or 108 points) and EDCR 101, EDCR 102, EDPR 101
    Limited to
    BTchg
    Notes
    Early Childhood Education students only.
    Eligibility
    This paper is for Early Childhood Education students only.
    Contact

    Dr Sonya Gaches (sonya.gaches@otago.ac.nz)

    Teaching staff

    Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Sonya Gaches (Dunedin)
    Other staff: To be confirmed (Invercargill)

    Paper Structure
    • Images of the infant/toddler
    • Images of the infant/toddler teacher - the caring, respectful teacher
    • Brain research - evidence and critique
    • Curriculum approaches - empowering the very young learner in inclusive settings:
      • Te Whāriki
      • Bicultural perspectives
      • Cultural diversity
      • Early intervention
    • Assessment and Pedagogy for very young children
    • Transitions
    • Environments
    • Health and well-being of infants and toddlers - immunisation, nutrition, childhood illness, safety issues
    • Health and well-being of the infant/toddler teacher
    • Current theory and research on the education and care of infant and toddlers in early childhood settings
    Teaching Arrangements
    This paper is taught on the Dunedin and Invercargill campuses.
    Textbooks
    • Clark, B. & Grey, A. Ata Kitea te Pae - Scanning the Horizon, Auckland: Pearson.
    • May, H. (2013) The Discovery of Early Childhood (2nd edition), Auckland: Auckland University Press.
    • Grey, A. & Clark, B. (2013), Nga hurihanga Ako Kohungahunga - Transformative Teaching Practices in Early Childhood Education, Auckland: Pearson.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

    1. Analyse a range of approaches to curriculum for people under three
    2. Explore assessment and pedagogical practices which create appropriate and inclusive learning opportunities for people under three
    3. Critically evaluate optimal environments for infant and toddler learning
    4. Examine health and safety issues associated with the teaching of infants and toddlers in early childhood settings

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Workshop

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 13:00-15:50 9-13, 16-18, 21-22

    Semester 1

    Location
    Invercargill
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Workshop

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 09:00-11:50 9-13, 15-16, 18, 21-22
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