Early Childhood Studies

Child Development (double)

How do children develop? You’ll understand the key aspects of a child’s developmental processes, and the relationship between learning and development. You’ll get to grips with a variety of perspectives, and gain a firm understanding of child development. You’ll explore themes such as:

• perceptual development
• language development
• cognitive development (constructivist and social constructivist approaches)
• physical development
• play
• moral development
• development of self and identity
• emotional development, deprivation and enrichment,

You’ll also consider a range of influences on children’s development, such as heredity and social influences, and examine creativity and the theory of mind.

Research in the Early Years

What are the ethical issues of doing research on children? You’ll gain the core tools you need to carry out effective research in early years. You’ll develop the confidence and expertise to succeed in your degree, and understand the research methods that social scientists and educational practitioners use, including:

• interviews
• observation
• questionnaires.

You’ll have a grounding in reliable and valid research, giving you fantastic skills for your future career.

Working with Children 2* (Double)

You’ll gain the core knowledge and practical skills to work as an early years practitioner. You’ll complete a safeguarding course, giving you the most up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practices when you start your career. You’ll develop key knowledge of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) policies and frameworks. In your second semester, you’ll do a placement in a childcare or early years setting. You’ll put your knowledge into practice, and enhance your expertise in the field, ready for your career.

Preparing for the Dissertation

This module gives you the skills and knowledge to excel at your dissertation. You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of topics that will prepare you for every stage of your dissertation. You’ll learn how to plan your dissertation, analyse research and write up a powerful argument. You’ll gain a valuable critical awareness of yourself as a researcher, as you get to know the processes involved. You’ll also understand the key ethical procedures of fieldwork, allowing you to work successfully in the field.

Inclusion, Special Needs and Disabilities

How can we provide a strong and inclusive education for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities? You’ll gain a clear understanding of the policy and practice relating to special educational needs. You’ll acquire core critical skills as you examine SEN legislation, and analyse discrimination. You’ll develop key self-awareness as you challenge your own attitudes and beliefs around SEN and disabilities. 

Gender in the 21st Century

How do gender and gender stereotypes affect teachers and learners? You’ll explore how issues of gender shape society, culture and education. You’ll gain core critical skills for your degree, as you analyse how the media and education, as well as how children are socialised, play vital roles in shaping teachers and learners. You’ll investigate these key issues, relate them to your own experiences, and apply your thoughts to key educational theories.

Cultural and Arts-Based Learning

You’ll examine how students can learn through exciting cultural activities. You’ll look at activities including:

• exploring cultural sites and learning contexts
• cultural artefacts and arts-based activities. 

You’ll study core theories of learning in key areas of the arts, including art, drama, music and film, and consider the significance of these areas in the educational curriculum. You’ll put core theories around culture and learning into practice, as you go on field trips and take part in practical activities at Oxford’s famous museums and galleries. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills, as you analyse how cultural artefacts and activities support learning. 

Literature for Young Children

How can young children fall in love with reading? You’ll gain a strong understanding of the rich range of books for young children. You’ll develop core skills in reading critically and reflectively as you analyse the relationship between words and pictures in children’s texts. You’ll learn how to select texts that support language development, and focus on phonological (sound patterns and their meanings) awareness, and reading development. 

Young Children's Health and Wellbeing

How does a child’s health and wellbeing shape their future success? You’ll get to grips with the importance of children’s health and wellbeing. You’ll learn the roles and responsibilities of health professionals working with young children to ensure their wellbeing. You’ll gain a sound knowledge of issues including: 

• health inequalities
• health promotion
• health provision for young children.

You’ll also have the chance to explore children’s inner lives and spirituality, and to understand the adult’s role in supporting children’s emotional and spiritual health.

Children in the Digital World

How do media and technology impact children’s lives and their understanding of the world? You’ll use key academic theories to explore these dynamic questions and how the issues are relevant in education. You’ll explore direct examples of media and technology, and gain core practical skills for your degree as you make links between theory and real life situations.

Dissertation (Double)

You’ll undertake independent research on a topic in Early Childhood Studies which fascinates you. You’ll have the support of an expert supervisor who will help you negotiate a key issue in Early Childhood Studies and develop it into a dissertation.

Reflective Practice (Double)

You’ll enhance your confidence and skills in working as a practitioner in an early years setting. You’ll discuss current issues, and reflect on your own practice in the light of current policy and research. As a group, we’ll focus on reflection as means of bringing together theory and practice, with an emphasis on group reflection. In your practice in your placement, you might focus on issues such as: 

• deepening understandings of curriculum organisation and delivery
• focusing on the individual needs of the child
• addressing issues of inclusion, individual achievement or well-being 
• focusing on relationships with parents and the community.

As part of the module, you’ll also complete a reflective journal.

Controversial and Contemporary Research in Education (double)

Why is education such a hotly argued topic? You’ll investigate controversial issues in education from previous modules, and explore new and pressing ideas. You’ll gain core teamwork and research skills for your future career, as you pursue these issues through group discussion and individual research. You’ll build key critical skills for your degree, as you evaluate evidence from sources ranging from popular media to policy texts, as well as academic texts on education. 

You’ll also enjoy seminars with guest speakers, where you’ll engage with the latest educational debates and expertise. 

Becoming a Reader (Double)

How do children become readers? You’ll look at children's literacy, investigating theories and debates about how children become readers. You’ll get to grips with the key ways that children learn to read, including: 

• decoding skills
• comprehension of text
• attitude and motivation. 

You’ll look at different forms of literacy in an era of digital communication. You’ll gain the skills to understand a range of developmental theories, and articulate your own arguments.

International Comparisons in Early Childhood Care and Education

You’ll examine core policies and practices in education. You’ll gain important analytical skills for your degree, as you consider the differences in education policy between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You’ll analyse how international evidence in education impacts services in these four UK countries.

Professional Roles in Early Years

How do different professionals work together to support the health and education of young children? You’ll gain a strong grounding in the partnerships which support early learning and care, both historically and today. You’ll build on the knowledge you gained from your Reflective Practice module and dissertation, as you engage with key themes such as workforce development, partnership and workplace communication. You’ll understand children’s rights in the home and other settings, and analyse the roles of parents and professionals in the welfare and education of young children. Legislation which affects the roles of workers in early years sectors will also be a topic.

Researching Child Development

You’ll get to grips with child development and the strengths and weaknesses of key approaches to the subject. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you critique experiential, observational and field studies. You’ll also gain fantastic research and project management skills for your future career, as your design and carry out an investigative study.

Unequal Childhoods

Not all childhoods are equal. You’ll reflect on the ways we respond to differences in:

• ethnicity
• race
• social class
• ability. 

You’ll build on your knowledge of equality, diversity and human justice that you’ve gained from earlier modules. You’ll also increase your knowledge of United Nations conventions and United Kingdom equality legislation, increasing your professional understanding of legislation and equality.

The Principled Professional

Gain fantastic preparation for work as a professional early years practitioner. You’ll explore the core elements of the professional’s role in early years settings and other employment contexts. You’ll develop a strong understanding of professionalism, giving you the best chance to succeed in job interviews and your future career. You’ll also grow into a strong advocate for the wellbeing of children and their families.