ECE 1005 Thinking and Movement in Early Childhood Education

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Perceptual-motor development is central to other aspects of development, and movement is an important integrating medium through which young children learn about themselves and their world. Early childhood educators have a vital role in supporting young children's creative solving of problems through movement explorations and in promoting positive attitudes to physical activity from the earliest years. Early childhood educators require knowledge of the developmental nature and contextual influences on physical development in order to offer movement opportunities suited to the individual young child.

SYNOPSIS:

This course examines young children's exploration of space, materials, environments and the potential of their own bodies through physical activity to establish a basis for skilful movement, creative problem solving and a positive image of self and active play. The course introduces foundational concepts in early childhood education including integration of child development, planning from child study, play as an educative vehicle and the role of the learning environment. Physical experiences for young children from birth to eight years will be related to children's thinking, sequential movement development, and contextual issues. Emphasis will be placed on children's personal achievement, self esteem and attitude towards physical activity.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. define connections between movement, thinking, disposition and context;
2. demonstrate awareness of the purpose of perceptual motor experiences;
3. select movement experiences and resources suited to children's development;
4. plan environments and strategies to support movement exploration;
5. relate observations to fundamental movement patterns of children 0-8 years;
6. use movement experiences as integrating devices across all areas of learning and development.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Date of examination will be advised during semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   (b) It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   (a) To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If assignments are submitted after the due date without an approved extension of time, University penalites may be applied.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   (d) To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for those items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   (a) The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   (c) In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination; English translation dictionaries (but not technical dictionaries); Formula sheets; Translation dictionary. Students whose first language is not English, may, with the Examiner's approval, take an appropriate non- electronic translation dictionary into the examination. Students who wish to use a translation dictionary MUST request and receive written approval from the Examiner at least one week before the examination date. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage; Translation dictionary. With the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non- electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   (b) Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES