The Course structure

The course has four modules – with unique, specially prepared units:

Module 1: Early Childhood Education: History and Policy

The development of early childhood education provision; The history and social construction of childhood; The language of early childhood education; Early intervention studies ; Current policy initiatives ; Special educational needs and inclusive education; Equality and diversity.

Module 2: Development, Learning and Curriculum

Child development and learning; Babies and toddlers; policies on curriculum and learning ; Curriculum development ; Foundation Stage practices; Pedagogy in early education ; Theories of learning; Assessment; Parental roles in children´s learning.

Module 3: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education

Quality´ in early education and care; Children´s rights ; Parental involvement; Inclusion; The Arts ; Play; Gender; Family literacy ; Home learning; Birth to three; Popular culture; Digital literacies.

Module 4: Research Methods and Methodology

Observation, interviews and questionnaires ; Assessment; Basic research designs ; Key concepts in statistics ; Qualitative research ; Involving children in research ; Ethnography ; Life historical study; Evaluation ; Ethics ; Research writing .