ED1S014 - Perspectives of Early Childhood 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ED1S014
Module Title: Perspectives of Early Childhood
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: ITE and Education Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Early Years
Module Leader: Claire Pescott
Module Team: Wendy-Lee Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100463 - early years education
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To examine current, alternative and emerging theoretical and policy development in childhood and education.

To evaluate childhood discourse and its impact on how the child is viewed.

To explore roles and responsibilities of educators to implement the sociology of education within pedagogy and practice.

Content Summary

Nature v nurture – opposed views of childhood – Locke and Rousseau.

Changing nature of childhood – historical overview and differences across cultures – childhood discourses.

Social construction of childhood – children as social agents.
Childhood in modern Britain – e.g. toxic childhood, sexualisation of childhood.

The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) ;
Factors that influence growth and development prebirth / external influences on brain development

Key theoretical child development/education theory – e.g. Piaget/Vygotsky – social constructivism, DeBono, Bruner, Montessori, Steiner, Bandura, Maslow, Bronfenbrenner.

An introduction to Post humanism – construction of self within cultural context and non-human factors, children’s subjectivities.

An introduction to Post structuralism – challenging dominant discourse.

Importance of play and socio/cultural factors in pedagogy and practice.

Role of the adult in early childhood and education.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminar 12
Tutorial 2
Independent Study 100
Placement 3
Directed Study 60
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 3
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate historical, current, alternative and emerging theory and practice in early childhood and education
LO2 Identify and reflect on the role of the adult and factors that can influence children’s learning and development

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Views of childhood and impact on early education 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1

Reading List

Aubrey, K. and Riley, A. (2020) Understanding and using educational theories. 2nd edn. London: Sage.

Charles, M. and Bellinson, J. (2019) The importance of play in early childhood education: Psychoanalytic, attachment and developmental perspectives. Oxon: Routledge.

Conkbayir, M. and Pascal, C. (2014) Early childhood theories and contemporary issues: An introduction. London: Bloomsbury.

Crowley, K. (2014) Child development: A practical introduction. London: Sage.

Gray, C. and MacBlain, S. (2015) Learning theories in childhood. 2nd ed. London: Sage.

James, A. and James, A. (2004) Constructing childhood: Theory, policy and social practice. Basingstoke. Palgrave MacMillan.

James, A. and Prout, A. (2015) Constructing and reconstructing childhood: Contemporary issues in the sociological study of childhood. Oxon: Routledge.

MacBlain, S. (2018) Learning theories for early years practice. London: Sage.

Moss, P. (2020) Alternative narratives in early childhood: An introduction for students and practitioners (Contesting early childhood). Oxon: Routledge.

Nutbrown, C. and Clough, P. (2014) Early Childhood Education: History, Philosophy and Experience. London: Sage.

Thomas, A. and McInnes, K. (2017) Teaching early years: Theory and practice. London: Sage.

Wood, E. (2013) Play, learning and the early childhood curriculum. London: Sage