Subject Intent: Why Childrens Play, Learning and Development?
Children鈥檚 Play, Learning and Development gives students the chance to look at holistic key aspects of child development. Students gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of child development and well-being necessary for working with children in a variety of settings. It enables students to develop transferable skills and encourages them to self-reflect and regulate to inform their practice. Communication and teamwork skills are integral whilst on work placement and are regarded as the most prevalent skills required for future employment. Embedding at least one work placement into the curriculum gives students a wider and rich knowledge and provides them with the understanding needed to progress into occupations such as nursery worker, teaching assistant, paediatric nursing, childhood studies, play therapy, social work, midwifery, and primary education.
What will I study?
You鈥檒l study a range of topics, including:
- Children鈥檚 Development: learn about the theories and models of child development, including how this relates to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the short and long term effects of factors that affect child development.
- Children鈥檚 Communication, Literacy and Numeracy: learn about how children develop these skills and how to plan activities in exciting and interesting ways that help to develop their ability to process information and interact with others.
- Children鈥檚 Play and Learning: learn about the types of play and how this supports their learning and development, including the theoretical perspectives and curriculum approaches that have been developed over many years and how they influence practice in early years settings.
What are lessons like in this subject?
The qualification is for you if you are considering a career as a pre-school early years co-ordinator, health visitor assistant, child minder or nursery nurse as well as the previously mentioned occupations. The content may be applied during delivery in a way that is relevant to local employment needs and as a result placements have been established within the local area. As part of the course, you will be required to attend at least one work experience setting for a minimum of 50 hours during the 2 year course. This setting should be working with children aged from birth to seven years and 11 months. This will allow you to work alongside professionals and help you to develop your specialised skills. There is a mixture of both internal and external assessment. Lessons in Children鈥檚 Play, Learning and Development are engaging, practical, interactive, and relevant. Students enjoy visits to local play centres, pre-schools, primary schools, childminders, and nurseries. The qualification is designed to support and enhance progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate Applied General or A-level qualifications.
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