| CODE | PRE3010 | ||||||
| TITLE | Psychosocial Issues and their Implications for Early Years Development | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Early Childhood and Primary Education | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Educators have long discussed the various factors that influence a child’s educational performance. Curricular structures, teaching methodologies and stimulating learning environments are but a few of the significant factors that influence whether a child acquires the necessary skills or not. In addition to certain innate challenges to learning, the children’s experiences in their daily, social environments also affect educational achievement & attainment. Educators relate an increase in prevalence or disclosure of psychosocial issues experienced by children in the early years to such negative experiences. Study unit Aims: • Defining psychosocial issues and delving into an overview of the effect these can have on children’s learning experiences. • Focusing on four main psychosocial issues: child abuse, absenteeism, bullying and parental separation and creating a mature discussion on the effects each of these has on the child’s education journey. • Creating a discussion with students on intervention and preventive skills that would be suitably adopted when dealing with such situations. • Case study analysis discussed in the light of the role of educators. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & understanding: By the end of this study unit, the student will • Become familiar with indications of adverse conditions in a child’s environment; • Be knowledgeable about procedures and policies to ensure the well-being of children; • Be sensitive towards traumatic experiences and informed about ways in which such experiences can impact on one’s learning potential; • Liaise with other professionals involved in the care of young children, e.g. social workers, psychologists; • Ensure the welfare, and development of all children and adults in cognisance of all relevant policy, procedures and law. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Develop high level appropriate strategies for facilitating and assisting children and families who are experiencing adverse social conditions or circumstances, based on knowledge of the public services available; • Use a range of strategies to ensure the best development and support of all children and families; • Demonstrate the ability to work with the whole child and the family; • Apply principles of best practice in child protection; • Have generic knowledge of student support services in schools. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Readers to be ordered. Bomber, L. (2007). Inside I'm Hurting: Practical Strategies for Supporting Children with Attachment Difficulties in Schools. Worth Publishing. Collins, M. (2004). But is it bullying? Teaching positive relationships to young children. Paul Chapman. Corby, B. (2006). Child abuse. Towards a knowledge base. (3rd ed.). Berkshire: OUP & McGraw Hill. Geddes, H. (2005). Attachment in the Classroom: The links between children's early experience, emotional well-being and performance in school: A Practical Guide for Schools. Worth Publishing. Kaufman, G. , Raphael, L. & Espeland, P. (1999). Stick up for yourself! Every kid’s guide to personal power & positive self-esteem. USA: Free Spirit Publishing. Macintyre, C. (2009). Bullying & young children. Routledge. Plummer, D. M. (2007). Helping Children to Build Self-esteem: A Photocopiable Activities Book. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE EDS1108 AND TAKE EDS1109 | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Sara-Ann Baldacchino Roberta Farrugia Debono (Co-ord.) Lauren Kenely Maria Zahra |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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