Child Development

Intent

To foster enthusiasm for the discipline and subsequently prepare student for careers in related fields in Child Care, Health & Social Care, Psychology, Sociology & Biology.
To enable students to gain a real insight into all of the challenges, excitement, considerations & responsibility surrounding children's development and the number of agencies & people involved in caring for that development.
To support learners' understanding of the developmental norms from birth to 5 years and the stages and development of play.
To encourage multiple approaches to learning, such as practical opportunities and real-life scenarios, which will support students to develop their applied knowledge.

Key Theme	Overview
Understanding the principles of growth & development.	Understand how children grow and develop from birth to 5 years old. Have an understanding of the people and agencies involved in measuring and monitoring growth & development.
Understanding how factors impact on children's overall development.	Understand the physical, environmental, social and financial factors that can impact on how a child grows & develops from birth to 5 years old.
Understanding how children play.	Understand the stages of play from birth to 5 years old and how they are structured. Be familiar with the different types of play and their key characteristics.
Understanding how children's learning can be supported through play.	Understand how different types of play at different age ranges to be used to promote different areas of development.
Investigating individual needs that may impact on play, learning & development.	Understand how different physical, cognitive, communication, social & emotional needs may impact on a child's ability to meet expected milestones.
Creating safe environments to support play, learning & development in children aged 0 to 5 years.	Understand how children can be kept safe from harm whilst undertaking play and learning activities.
Adapting play to promote inclusive learning & development.	Understand how play can be adapted to support individual needs and ensure that all children have an opportunity to meet expected milestones.