PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To develop in candidates a high level of awareness and understanding of early childhood development in socio-cultural contexts with respect to children’s provisional and protective rights. To produce specialists who are innovative and versatile in lesson delivery and the production of instructional materials in creative and sustainable ways to transform the teaching and learning experiences into real-life experiences

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry

Teaching Diploma in Education with specialisation in Early Childhood Development/ Infant Education or Primary Education or an equivalent from an accredited and recognised institution.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Graduates can be employed as supervisors, infant care unit managers, teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, consultants, entrepreneurs, project implementers etc.

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials, and virtual lessons in various forms such as   Google classes, seminars, group tasks, research projects, and individual independent study.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1

Code            Module Description                                                                        Credits

BCHS131    Culture and Heritage Studies                                                              12

ECDP101    Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Early

                     Childhood Development                                                                   12

ECDP102     Historical and Philosophical Foundations in Early Childhood

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP103     Curriculum Planning, Designing and Models   in Early

Childhood Development                                                                   12

BED133       Information and Communication Technology   in Education                12

ECDP104     Child Protection Conventions, Laws and Policies                               12

 

Level 1 Semester 2

BED131       Research Methods and Statistics                                                    12

ECDP105     Theories of Child Development and Learning in Early

Childhood                                                                                        12

ECDP106     Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation   in Early Childhood

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP107     Heritage and Civic Education in Early Childhood

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP108     Contemporary Issues and Trends in Early Education

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP109     Science, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation in Early

Childhood Development                                                                    12

 

Level 2 Semester 1

ECDP201     Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Development                    12

EDGS201    Gender Studies for Educators                                                            12

ECDP202     Entrepreneurship for Early Childhood Development

Educators                                                                               12

ECDP203     Practicum                                                                                     24

ECDP204     Financing and Managing Early Childhood Development

Projects                                                                                        12

BEFM231    School Administration and Financial Management in

Education                                                                                         12

 

Level 2 Semester 2

ECDP206     Guidance, Counselling and Conflict Resolution in Early

Childhood Development                                                                   12

ECDP207     Nutrition, Health and Safety in Early Childhood Development            12

ECDP208     Inclusive Education and Children at Risk in Early Childhood

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP209     Play, Creativity and Innovation in Early Childhood

Development                                                                                    12

ECDP210     Management of Early Childhood Settings                                          12

BED202       Research Project                                                                               24

14. 
      MODULE SYNOPSES

BCHS131 Cultural and Heritage Studies

The module examines the concepts of culture and heritage as they relate to unhuism/ubuntuism, innovation and industrialisation. Emphasis is placed on the values of social, historical, architectural, scientific and cultural heritage that can be capitalised for socio-economic development.  Exploration of landscapes that contain cultural heritage associated with knowledge, songs, stories, art objects and human remains.  

 

ECDP101 Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Early Childhood Development

The module is designed to equip students with the requisite knowledge of selected psychological paradigms, theories and processes that will enable them to comprehend possible implications and applications in teaching and learning. The module also introduces students to the Sociological theories and perspectives that influence the teaching and learning practices in ECD. The module aims to apply sociological insights, methods and discipline to the study of educational and social problems that are of concern to Early Childhood Development and society at large.

 

ECDP102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations in Early Childhood Development

The module tracks the development of early childhood education. The module further exposes students to the historical perspectives and trends in early childhood education. This module also examines different schools of philosophy and how they influence educational practice in general and early childhood education in particular. The evolution of ECD from the Scandinavian and Western Movement, pre-colonial era to the present day shall be explored. It forms the base of the interactive process where the class operates as a community of inquiry.

 

ECDP103 Curriculum Planning, Designing and Models in Early Childhood Development

The main thrust of this module is on the nature of early childhood curriculum. Particular attention is paid to curriculum planning and design and the implication these processes have on implementation. Theories of curriculum planning and design are critically analysed. Models specific to early childhood curricula such as Reggio Emilio, Whariki, Highscope and Developmentally Appropriate Practices will be explored.

 

BED133 Information Communication Technology in Education

This module employs a hands-on approach to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the innovative use of information communication technology to enhance classroom teaching and learning. Topics covered include the role of ICT in education, software application in education, multimedia learning, the Internet of Things and emerging technologies and their application in classroom teaching.

 

ECDP104 Child Protection Conventions, Laws and Policies

This module provides students with a working knowledge of relevant conventions, laws, policies, regulations and research related to child welfare protection. Students examine the relevance of statutes in different cultural, historical, socioeconomic developmental contexts.  Students apply the knowledge to create safety nets for enabling optimum child growth, learning and development. Global, regional and national statutes shall be explored in relation to their impact on child development and wellness.

 

 

BED131 Research Methods and Statistics

The module introduces students to the basic principles of research. It develops the students’ knowledge and skills in the following areas: identification of research problems in education; selection of appropriate research designs and data collection tools; data analysis techniques; research findings and conclusions; and research report writing. The module also introduces students to educational research that is aligned with sustainable development issues such as environmental conservation and poverty eradication.

 

ECDP105 Theories of Child Development and Learning in Early Childhood

This module exposes students to theories of child development and learning to address developmental concepts as they relate to early childhood development. The module exposes students to further theoretical knowledge which informs their understanding of the development of young children in different domains. Theories specific to early infant and toddler development such as Macmillan, Stern and Mahler’s shall be explored.

 

ECDP106 Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood Development

The module exposes students to different tools of assessment and evaluation used in early childhood development. Emphasis is on the design and use of these tools and above all how assessment information is used for planning and structuring classroom instruction. The module includes different forms of assessment. Students shall be exposed to methods of assessing learners in various developmental domains through the use of various authentic assessment techniques and readiness assessments. The assessment techniques shall inform Developmentally Appropriate Practices (D.A.P) in ECD teaching and learning.

 

ECDP107 Heritage and Civic Education in Early Childhood Development

The module empowers students to formulate themes through which the Early Childhood Development learners are made aware of themselves as individuals. It exposes students to values and attitudes that enhance co-existence of citizens as well as enhancing their appreciation of the physical and social environment. It aims at equipping the students with skills to develop pro-social behaviour among learners. Values and attitudes that are developed include respect for self, others, elders and the dead, patriotism and hard-working among others.

 

ECDP108 Contemporary Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Development

This module is designed for undergraduate candidates specialising in Early Childhood Development. Specifically, it highlights the relationship between the national and global trends and issues in Early Childhood Development, both past and present. Further, it examines the current trends and developments in Early Childhood Development. The module focuses on childhood issues that affect development such as child-rearing practices, bedwetting, and childhood diseases. This will in turn help students to appreciate the strengths, challenges, innovations and reforms in Early Childhood Development both at national and international levels.

ECDP109 Science, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation in Early Childhood Development       

This module is designed for students to undertake an in-depth study of philosophical considerations, theoretical perspectives and pedagogical issues in Science and Mathematics in Early Childhood Development. The module equips students with skills on how to design and develop an innovative curriculum for innovation and industrialisation. It further exposes students to ethno-mathematics concepts. Students shall be exposed to theories and technologies that explore numeracy development.

ECDP109 Language Arts in Early Childhood Development

The module enables students to engage in an in-depth study of the concept of language, language acquisition theories and how young children master receptive and expressive language skills. It also enables students to design child-centred language arts environments and capacitates them to effectively communicate using national and other languages. Language aspects such as theories of language development, emergent literacy, language readiness and suitable assessment techniques shall be explored in the module.

EDGS231 Gender Studies for Educators

The module aims at providing students with an introduction to the concept of gender and its significance to education. The module exposes students to how education spaces construct gender differences; the implications of these differences on learners and how schools can close the gender gaps. Key issues to be studied include theoretical perspectives on gender, cultural dimensions of gender, and deconstruction of gender and their implications for the education sector.

ECDP202 Entrepreneurship for Early Childhood Development Educators

The module equips students with the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills required  to set up and successfully operating and managing different forms of Early Childhood Development enterprises to address the needs of communities and the education sector in an innovative and creative manner. The students shall be equipped with skills to professionally sustain business.

ECDP203 Practicum

The module equips students with innovative skills in working with communities. It further provides students with opportunities to put theory into practice. The students shall practice in an area of choice such as the ECD class, the education offices and other government departments dealing with childhood issues. The module also provides the students with an opportunity to implement an ECD related community project.

ECDP204 Financing and Managing Early Childhood Development Projects

This module provides Early Childhood educators with a working knowledge of the financial aspects of managing an Early Childhood Development (ECD) school. It emphasises social justice in early childhood through examining laws, policies and models related to budgeting and finance. Students are expected to plan, design sustainable budgets and maintain financial records in early childhood development schools.

 

BEFM231 School Administration and Financial Management in Education

The module introduces students to sound administration and financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It tackles the basic tenets of the nature and purpose of administration and familiarises students with skills in budgeting and budgetary control. Students are further introduced to the accounting systems in schools and the interpretation of policies and statutes that govern financial and asset management in educational institutions.

 

ECDP206 Guidance, Counselling and Conflict Resolution in Early Childhood Development

This module equips the students with the requisite knowledge on how to help the early childhood learner in his or her formative years to understand, accept and overcome problems that may confront them in their lives. The student will explore in-depth theories underpinning counselling at the Early Childhood Development level. Counselling theories like psychoanalysis, behaviourists theories, humanistic counselling, crisis counselling and multicultural counselling will be explored. The related requisite counselling techniques and the expected qualities of a good counsellor will be critically exposed to the students.

ECDP207 Nutrition, Health and Safety in Early Childhood Development

The module reviews current concepts and issues in the field of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child. The module helps students to assist young children to develop good habits and attitudes, and to assume lifelong responsibility for their well-being.

ECDP208 Inclusive Education and Children at Risk in Early Childhood Development

This module develops students’ understanding of policy issues in the provision of inclusive education in ECD. It empowers students with versatility and the ability to adapt to inclusive drives taking place in their communities. The module enables students to identify, assess, include and manage children with diverse needs. In addition, the module enables students to interpret conventions and policies at international, regional and national levels. The module further exposes students to the different intervention strategies suitable for different cultural practices that place children at different risks and how these could be minimised.

ECDP209 Play, Creativity and Innovation in Early Childhood Development

The module reviews the concept of play and the role of play in child development and learning. The module also engages students in an intensive study of theories of play, functions of play and issues on learning and development through play in indigenous and modern communities. The module instils essential knowledge, values and attitudes that promote the teaching and learning of Creative Arts and promote innovation in early childhood development.

 ECDP210 Management of Early Childhood Settings

The module equips students with administrative, management and supervision skills in educational activities in the early years. Theories and applications in the areas of leadership, administration, motivation and policy studies are covered with a particular focus on mastering innovative strategies in the management process.

BED232 Research Project

In this final year, two-semester module each student carries out a research project in an area of his/her choice under the guidance of a supervisor. Through the study, students are expected to apply their knowledge and skills in research in the resolution of an identified research problem, as well as showing their appreciation of research as a viable process of addressing contemporary challenges and issues in education and their local environments.