Students

ECED605 – Early Childhood Development Research and Practice

2013 – S2 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Helen Little
helen.little@mq.edu.au
Contact via helen.little@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECED602
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed to extend students' understanding of child development with a particular emphasis on approaches to understanding and measuring child development, considerations for quality in childcare, and evaluation of children's environments. Recent research studies of child development, especially in relation to prior-to-school settings, will be used as a major resource for examining contemporary theory and research in child development. Students will analyse research to develop their skills in using evidence-based approaches in teaching, to inform policy, and evaluate programs within prior-to-school settings.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate critical analytical and integrative thinking in applying developmental theory and research in prior to school settings
  • Have a good understanding of child development theory to enable the critical assessment of children’s learning environments
  • Use sound analytical skills and evidence from child development research to address everyday problems concerned with children’s early development
  • Utilise child development knowledge in actively contributing to policy discussions concerning early childhood practice

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Topic Quiz 20% 02/09/2013
Information for parents 30% 30/09/2013
annotated bibliography 50% 25/10/2013

Topic Quiz

Due: 02/09/2013
Weighting: 20%

Content of first 5 lectures and readings
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Have a good understanding of child development theory to enable the critical assessment of children’s learning environments
  • Use sound analytical skills and evidence from child development research to address everyday problems concerned with children’s early development

Information for parents

Due: 30/09/2013
Weighting: 30%

Powerpoint presentation and handout on child development topic
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Have a good understanding of child development theory to enable the critical assessment of children’s learning environments
  • Utilise child development knowledge in actively contributing to policy discussions concerning early childhood practice

annotated bibliography

Due: 25/10/2013
Weighting: 50%

Annotated bibiography of 5 recent child development research articles
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate critical analytical and integrative thinking in applying developmental theory and research in prior to school settings
  • Have a good understanding of child development theory to enable the critical assessment of children’s learning environments
  • Use sound analytical skills and evidence from child development research to address everyday problems concerned with children’s early development
  • Utilise child development knowledge in actively contributing to policy discussions concerning early childhood practice

Delivery and Resources

Technology Used and Required

Students are required to access iLearn at least once per week and for submission of assessment tasks.

 

Seminar Times

Please check the university timetable for updates. Seminars are currently scheduled for Wednesday 2-4pm.

 

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Weekly content is delivered through lectures and readings. Seminars and assessment tasks are used to explore content in more detail.

One 2 hour seminar per week

 

Unit Schedule

 

 

 

Date

 

Events

 

31 July

Lecture – Introduction to unit content, theoretical approaches and requirements

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 August

Lecture –Australian studies of child development

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

14 August

Lecture– International studies on child development and early childhood education

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

21 August

Lecture – Key transitions in early childhood development

Lecturer – Helen Little                                                             

 

 

 

28 August

Lecture– Culture, child development and early childhood education

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 September

Lecture and tutorial – Early brain development in children

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

11 September

Lecture – Effects of child abuse and neglect on the developing child

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 October

Lecture – Social-emotional wellbeing and development

Lecturer – Helen Little                                                             

 

 

 

 9 October

Lecture – Research and evidence-based practice

Lecturer – Helen Little

 

 

 

 

 

16 October

Lecture – Risk-taking behaviour and child development

Lecturer – Helen Little

 

 

 

23 October

Lecture – Research and prevention and intervention programs

Lecturer – Jennifer Bowes

 

 

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

UniWISE provides:

  • Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
  • Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
  • The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
  • Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.

IT Help

If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.