Early Childhood Studies

You'll learn about therapeutic interventions and creative approaches that support people in different situations. You'll cover various therapies, including:

• play therapy 
• art therapy
• medical health therapy
• physical health therapy
• occupational health therapy 
• mental health therapy. 

You'll explore the application of approaches to individuals, families, and communities. By the end of the module, you will be able to use this knowledge in your own field, considering individual and group therapy, educational support, supervision, and safeguarding.
 

You'll build on what you learned in previous modules. You'll focus on celebrating diversity, including ways to support children, families and siblings in accessing services to meet their needs. 

You'll look at a wide range of needs that can affect children and families. You'll also look at educational settings and communities, going beyond special educational needs. You'll examine the issues and difficulties surrounding inclusive services for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities. 

Our goal is to help you understand how policies and practices related to special educational needs have evolved over time. We'll also delve into the legal framework that governs special educational needs provision. Also, we'll discuss discrimination and challenge you to reflect on your own attitudes and beliefs.
 

You'll learn about the natural environment and its importance in relation to childrens' learning and development. 

You'll explore ways to enhance learning experiences. You'll look at engaging in ecological projects and developing your understanding of global climate issues. 

You'll also examine outdoor learning and environmental education in: 

• early years settings
• schools
• communities.
   

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

• economies
• ethnicity
• education
• genders
• cultures
• 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.

In this module, you'll deepen your knowledge and understanding of children's literature and the importance of positive early literacy experiences for young children. You'll have the opportunity to read and think about a variety of texts and authors, with a focus on picture books. Also, you'll discuss the significance of diversity and representation in children's literature.

You'll develop your critical reading skills and explore how words and pictures work together. You'll look at how children learn to read. You'll also learn to choose texts that support their reading development and enjoyment. 

Finally, you'll consider how the digital world might affect children's experiences with literature.
 

You'll build on what you've learned in your first year. You'll explore ways to support people's physical, mental, social and emotional needs through education. You'll review existing policies and practices that aim to promote wellbeing.

Throughout the module, you'll develop a critical understanding of the factors that influence health and wellbeing in: 

• children 
• teenagers 
• adults. 

You'll gain insights into the complexities of supporting and promoting wellbeing within the education system. This includes working together with different agencies and facing practical challenges when planning, implementing and evaluating strategies and services for mental health and wellbeing in schools.
 

Do you remember how you felt as a child? You’ll explore the world of children, and how our ideas about childhood have changed through time. You’ll consider the impact of different models of socialisation on children. You’ll explore the factors - cultural, structural and experimental - which develop a child’s identity.  You’ll also make good use of life and historical material. 

You'll have the opportunity to focus in depth on a specialist area of research or other co-curricular topic not otherwise available in modules on the course.

You'll discuss with your academic supervisor on what you will focus on. Your independent study focus will be approved by this module's leader.
 

This is your opportunity to work or study in another country, so you can experience a different culture from the UK. You’ll be able to apply and test your knowledge and skills in new contexts that will significantly develop your employability profile.

Choosing this module will allow you to exhibit the development of self-management and working or studying in unfamiliar contexts, alongside practising cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.

You will receive support and guidance to help you find a place in an available higher education partner institution, or to find a work placement for your year abroad. This year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your year abroad is not credit-bearing.

The opportunity can be approached in 2 different ways. Please see your options below: 
 

You can attend a non-UK higher education institution for a full academic year. You’ll be able to choose modules in your own subject or in a subject you consider would benefit your overall course of study. You may choose to deepen your knowledge of your degree subject or enhance it by developing complementary skills.

By studying in an international university, you’ll progress your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with fellow students and tutors, building lasting relationships. You’ll also further develop your study skills as you focus on your selected areas of interest, whilst developing and progressing an international study experience that will add significance to your CV.
 

You can choose to undertake a work placement or work-related project based on your interests and existing skills. You will create an initial learning contract that shows clearly how your proposed placement or project will link with your academic and/or professional aims.

This pathway helps you to have full control over what your work-related learning looks like. You will advance your skills in a practical setting, gain first-hand experience in a work environment, and begin to create your professional network. Also, taking initiative of your learning in such a way will mean that you will stand out when you apply for jobs after graduation.
 

You'll look at how we can study teaching and research from different viewpoints like:

• science
• technology
• engineering
• the arts
• maths. 

By examining things from different angles, you'll get a better understanding of the whole picture instead of just focusing on one. You'll learn about the similarities and differences between these approaches on paper and in practice. You'll also explore creativity and how it's seen from psychological, sociological, and teaching perspectives.
 

You'll build on what you already know about learning and growing up. You'll explore different places and spaces that help us learn and develop. By studying and thinking about physical and psychological spaces, you will gain a better understanding of where and how learning can happen. You'll also learn about the role that professionals play in planning and creating these learning environments in different settings.

You'll discuss practices and places that try to address challenges. Also. you'll consider how to make sure these environments are accessible to everyone and celebrate diversity.
 

You'll explore the discourse around children being in the natural environment. You'll also look at the contested discussions about children being outdoors. 

You'll build on previous knowledge you've gained about children learning outside and playing in ways that might be a bit risky. You'll look at how children use and feel about natural spaces like:

• forests
• adventure playgrounds
• parks. 

You'll also learn how these places can help children learn about the environment and understand important issues, through programmes like Forest School or Environmental Education.
 

You'll study how people think about and treat children, young people, and families in the UK. You'll look at different ideas and beliefs about them, how they interact with society, and how society responds to their needs. 

You'll explore different ways that children, young people, and families are raised and influenced by society. You'll also consider the cultural and personal factors that shape policies and practices. As part of the module, you will choose a specific topic to study on your own. You will investigate how society has viewed and supported a particular group of people, whether they are children, young people, or families.
 

You'll learn about different jobs that help and speak up for children, especially those who may be in difficult situations, have less, feel left out, or have no support. You'll study how professionals play important roles in caring for children and their families. These professionals include:

• caregivers
• teachers
• various health professionals
• social workers

You'll also look at how professionals communicate, collaborate, and work together in partnerships. You'll gain an understanding of how these individuals, from different fields, can come together in order to support children's well-being and growth, making their lives better.
 

In this module you'll build upon what you've learned before about inclusive teaching methods. You'll focus on ways to help others grow and develop, showing kindness, understanding, and strength when providing care. 

You'll look at compassion and care practice, considering different theories and ideas. You'll then explore how these concepts apply to various professions. You'll also learn about the current policies in the UK and study educational approaches that emphasise compassion and care. Throughout the module, you'll use research to gain knowledge and understanding, building your critical thinking skills in exploring these topics.
 

In this module, you'll become more aware of the portrayal of childhood in different:

• cultures
• media 
• throughout history. 

You'll look at how people have understood and depicted childhood. including the depiction of schools, teaching professionals, and children themselves. You'll also have the opportunity to choose a specific topic that interests you, so you can dive into researching it.

You'll learn about education and care policies and practices. You'll look at previous practices and compare them in the four countries of the UK. You'll also study education and care practice in different cultures and countries. 

You'll see how education is part of programmes that can help development in countries. Also, you'll look at how provision and policy differs between countries, and you'll look at it from different points of view, such as: 

• financial support
• political support
• media perceptions. 

To understand how it works in real life, you'll study real projects from around the world. You'll learn about important things in education and care, seeing how different countries develop their education systems.
 

In this module, you will work on your own project, choosing a suitable topic or set of topics. The module leader will guide you and provide supervision. Your project may involve practical work if relevant. The specific focus of your project and how it will be assessed will be discussed and agreed upon by the module leader and you. Instead of traditional lectures, you will have tutorial support to help you throughout the module.