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HE Unit Template
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Understanding Early Childhood Development
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EDMAS6050 - Understanding Early Childhood Development
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20250200
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Course
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3.2
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2026-06-16
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2026-06-16
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Education
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Education
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Postgraduate - Coursework
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15
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.125
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070101
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Teacher Education: Early Childhood
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/edmas6050">070101 - Teacher Education: Early Childhood</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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9
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<p>This unit will enable Pre-service Teachers (PSTs) to engage with the core principles and theories of child development. PSTs will come to understand and critique the interconnections between theory, curricula outcomes and learning contexts for young children. Environmental conditions that impact on the development of individual children, with particular emphasis on social and cultural backgrounds will be examined. PSTs will develop the capacity to apply child development theory, knowledge of individual children and curricula outcomes to the selection of learning experiences that engage and support the interests, strengths and dispositions of young children.</p>
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<p>Topics may include:<br>
1. Major theoretical and developmental traditions; behaviourists; cognitivists; ecological and socioculturalists<br>
2. History, theories and methodology of research in child development<br>
3. Theories and research in the areas of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language development<br>
4. Cultural perspectives on development and learning<br>
5. Implications and applications of child development theories and approaches to teaching and learning<br>
6. Techniques for observing and analyzing children's behaviour<br>
7. Planning for and documenting children's learning<br>
8. Teaching and learning cycles<br>
9. Current curricula, national quality standards<br>
10. Working collaboratively with parents/carers</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2026
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2026
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EDMAS6050 - Understanding Early Childhood Development
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EDMAS6050 - Understanding Early Childhood Development
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Semester 2
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Year
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit will enable Pre-service Teachers (PSTs) to engage with the core principles and theories of child development. PSTs will come to understand and critique the interconnections between theory, curricula outcomes and learning contexts for young children. Environmental conditions that impact on the development of individual children, with particular emphasis on social and cultural backgrounds will be examined. PSTs will develop the capacity to apply child development theory, knowledge of individual children and curricula outcomes to the selection of learning experiences that engage and support the interests, strengths and dispositions of young children.</p>
Unit content
<p>Topics may include:<br> 1. Major theoretical and developmental traditions; behaviourists; cognitivists; ecological and socioculturalists<br> 2. History, theories and methodology of research in child development<br> 3. Theories and research in the areas of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language development<br> 4. Cultural perspectives on development and learning<br> 5. Implications and applications of child development theories and approaches to teaching and learning<br> 6. Techniques for observing and analyzing children's behaviour<br> 7. Planning for and documenting children's learning<br> 8. Teaching and learning cycles<br> 9. Current curricula, national quality standards<br> 10. Working collaboratively with parents/carers</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Education
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/edmas6050">070101 - Teacher Education: Early Childhood</a>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Describe and analyse the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development of children</p>
K2
<p>Critique a range of theories on development and learning and their implications for teaching</p>
K3
<p>Explain and justify the importance of agency for each child and the role of the teacher in supporting individual development</p>
K4
<p>Explain the impact of factors such as culture, family, genetic inheritance and life experiences on the development of children</p>
K5
<p>Propose strategies and activities to support the engagement of young children and meet individual learning strengths, interests and dispositions, including ways to work effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers</p>
S1
<p>Describe and critically reflect on a range of theoretical perspectives and apply to the learning and teaching contexts of young children</p>
S2
<p>Employ techniques to record and analyse children's learning</p>
S3
<p>Propose learning experiences to cater for the diverse interests, strengths and backgrounds of young children</p>
S4
<p>Select appropriate strategies for working collaboratively with parents/carers</p>
A1
<p>Examine a range of factors such as physical, social, emotional development and characteristics that impact on the development of young children and critically reflect on how these influence learning and teaching</p>
A2
<p>Utilise a range of observation techniques to record, analyse, organise and share information ethically and professionally</p>
A3
<p>Design learning experiences that take into account individual interests, dispositions, backgrounds and experiences and link to relevant learning outcomes</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>PSTs to read the provided reading and respond reflectively to questions</p>
<p>Reflective Response</p>
<p>5-10%</p>
K1, K2, S1, A1
2
<p>From a list, choose a major theorist that has had an impact on the study of children's development. Outline and critique the main tenets of the theory,. Explain the impact of the theory on contemporary teaching practice.</p>
<p>Presentation</p>
<p>30-40%</p>
K1, K2, K4, S1, A1
3
<p>Document the interactions and learning of children using at least three different observational techniques. Analyse these observations making appropriate and relevant links to theory and current curricula outcomes Provide a brief summary of how children are meeting curricula outcomes and suggest learning experiences that meet the interests and dispositions of observed children. Learning experiences must also be linked to learning outcomes and provide a plan for assessment/ reflection on practice and collaboration with parents/carers Necessary permission forms must be completed and copies to accompany the assessment.</p>
<p>Analytical Report</p>
<p>50-60%</p>
K1, K3, K5, S2, S3, S4, A2, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplimentary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Education
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/edmas6050">070101 - Teacher Education: Early Childhood</a>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Disclaimer
<em>Information in the Federation Handbook is correct at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to alter any course, unit, procedure or fee.</em>
Additional information
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Internal reference: EDMAS6050 - U3.2