Summary

This module aims to provide an overview of development in the preschool years (2-5 years) including typical and atypical motor, cognitive and socio-emotional development, psychological disorders and behaviour problems, early education and transition to formal education, and issues related to nutrition and poverty. It also aims to develop critical analysis and thinking skills regarding preschool development, health and education

 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

After completing this module, you should be able to:

Describe typical development during the preschool years, as well as common psychological and behavioural issues
	Critically evaluate different models of early education and their impact on social policy, support of special needs, and nature of early educational environments
	Select appropriate methods for assessing the development of the preschool child
	Identify and understand issues in health and development that merit referral for assessment and intervention
 

Who is this module for?

This is a core module for the MSc Infancy and Early Childhood Development Course. 

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching will include lecturers/seminars, and independent learning as well a number of video/internet learning hours.

 

Assessment

You will be assessed by written commentary.

 

Selected Reading List

Department of Education, 2017. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage: Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five.

Wells, J.C., 2009. Historical cohort studies and the early origins of disease hypothesis: making sense of the evidence: Workshop on ‘Nutritional models of the developmental origins of adult health and disease’. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 68(2), pp.179-188.

Langley A Evans, S.C., 2015. Nutrition in early life and the programming of adult disease: a review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 28, pp.1-14.

Sharma, A. and Cockerill, H., 2014. Mary Sheridan's from birth to five years: Children's Developmental Progress. Routledge.