Who is the course for?

Anyone with an interest in children, or who would like to work with children and know more about how to develop the skills needed.

There are no requirements necessary, but reasonable literary skills must be shown. There must be interest shown in babies, children and families. Coursework requires a child to be studied aged under 5 and the student will need to know a suitable child to be on this course.

Content outline

The syllabus focuses on:

- the development of children from conception to the age of 5

- the development of children within the family and wider society

There are 2 pieces of coursework, which are worth 60%, and involves: Child Study - a study of a child under the age of 5 years noting how they develop physical, intellectual, social and emotional skills over a period of time. This also involves an area of research on a selected topic e.g. play or toys or healthy eating. Skills will be shown in both primary and secondary research methods.

Topics include:

THE FAMILY - i.e. nuclear, extended, step and one-parent and the role of the family.

Pre-conceptual care: healthy eating, genetic disorders, effects of drugs, exercise.

Pregnancy: conception, symptoms, the placenta and foetus, development, dietary needs, antenatal care.

Birth: stages of labour, relaxation and delivery. Post Natal Care of Mother.

Baby: checks, appearance, reflexes, dangers, sleep, feeding, care.

CARE OF THE CHILD - feeding, clothing, footwear, exercise, toilet training, vaccinations, illnesses, teething.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD - physical: growth, motor skills, washing feeding and dressing.

Intellectual: nature and nurture, language and speech development, concept formation.

Emotional & Social Development: love, security, behaviour, independence, morals, nursery school, effects of television, videos etc.

Play and Toys: learning and play, types of play, use of toys, books and materials.

Disability, accident prevention, childcare provision, health and services personnel.