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EEP305 Multiple Understandings (8)

Abstract

This subject presents a range of theoretical perspectives on children's learning and investigates the implications of these for early childhood curriculum. Students will consider how contemporary schools of thought such as social constructionism, postmodernism, feminism, poststructuralism, critical race theory and postcolonialism may inspire new possibilities in working with young children and their families. The aim is to render problematic what may have been taken as the 'truth' about early childhood education: how young children learn; the role of the educator in that learning; and the role of parents and the community in the early childhood curriculum.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
DistanceAlbury-Wodonga Campus
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EEP305
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Teacher Education

Enrolment restrictions

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) or as approved by the respective Course Coordinator or Course Director. Not available to students who have completed EEA304 Multiple Understandings: Early Childhood Teaching & Learning.
Incompatible subject(s)
EEA304

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • understand and critically reflect on key concepts, theoretical approaches and assumptions that inform early childhood education;
  • examine and critically reflect on their own theories of teaching and learning and what informs their practice;
  • examine competing theories of how young children learn and demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge(s) used to guide early childhood practices;
  • critically reflect on the implications of different theories of learning for early childhood curriculum practices;
  • distinguish among multiple perspectives on and approaches to early childhood curriculum and the effects of each position on curriculum planning, including the selection of assessment strategies and approaches;
  • compare and contrast a range of appropriate curriculum frameworks with the multiple perspectives and approaches to early childhood curriculum identified above; and
  • articulate their own position statement(s) on how young children learn and the role of early childhood education in society and consider the implications of these on their work in developing and enacting an equitable curriculum for and with young children and their families.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Critical reflection in early childhood teaching and learning.
  • Multiple ways to understand the child as a learner - classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives on the learner and learning.
  • Critical reflection on different models of the child as a learner and the social, political and equity implications of how we think about children's learning.
  • Multiple positions on and approaches to early childhood curriculum and the effects of each of these on curriculum planning and the selection of assessment approaches and strategies.
  • The impact of policies, standards and appropriate guidelines on the individual educator's approach to curriculum.
  • Multiple perspectives on the role of parents and others in early childhood curriculum.
  • Reflecting on multiple understandings and perspectives: current personal position.

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The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.