EDU-20023 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Can children learn whilst playing? Is play embedded in early years pedagogy? This module encourages students to examine play as a core method of learning. It will introduce students to the contemporary theories and practices surrounding the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how these are reflected in historical and contemporary policy debates.

To introduce students to the key concepts surrounding play as a pedagogic tool and to the ways in which some of these have been theorised;
To examine the role of play in children's cognitive development;
To explore the way in which teachers use play to facilitate learning and to scaffold and extend children's knowledge;
To encourage students to participate in a critical engagement of the appropriate research and government policy in relation to play and the National Curriculum.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Differentiate between the range of philosophical and theoretical arguments surrounding the use of play and learning within education: 1
Interpret the research and pedagogy that encompasses the tradition of early years education in relation to children's cognitive development: 1,2
Evaluate the debates and policy implications surrounding the introduction of the National Curriculum in early years education: 1,2
Articulate how play is integrated into the National Curriculum and develop an informed view on the effectiveness of school policies on play and learning: 1,2
Recognise the way theorists contribute to the understanding and practices of pedagogy in relation to early years education: 2
Communicate ideas and arguments about different state educational ideologies in relation to early years delivery of education (Foundation Stage 0-8): 1,2
Draw on a range of sources of information, recognise, analyse and synthesise, evaluate and identify problems and solutions in relation to the module topics: 1,2

Study hours

12 x1 hour lectures
12 x 1 hours seminars
24 hours lecture and seminar preparation (x2 hours per session)
20 hours preparation of presentation
82 hours essay preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment