ECE3103 Play-based Pedagogies in Early Childhood (FOEDU)

Semester 2 (ONC)Toowoomba (ONC)Fraser Cst (EXT)Toowoomba

Units 1.0 (Teacher Education: Early Child) Band 5

Pre-requisite: ECE1101 and ECE2010

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html.

Synopsis

Play resides as a central theme within the course, and students examine the role of play as integrative in the curriculum. To this end, they are engaged in exploring children's thinking and communication, to develop-in-depth skills in the documentation, and interpretation of play. Further to this, students explore how children's play can be scaffolded and evaluated within a play-based, integrated curriculum. Models of curriculum are explored, particularly as they apply to the teaching of children aged 4 to 6 years. Students examine a range of curriculum traditions, and compare them to recent constructions of early childhood curriculum. In particular, the nature of the 'integrated curriculum' is examined, both theoretically, and in its practical applications, both in Australia and internationally.