Module Code: H6IEC
Long Title Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Title Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Module Level: LEVEL 6
EQF Level: 5
EHEA Level: Short Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator: ARLENE EGAN
Module Author: ARLENE EGAN
Departments: NCI Learning & Teaching
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate an awareness of Síolta (national quality framework) and Aistear (national curriculum framework)
LO2 Demonstrate an awareness of play as the main pedagogical pathway to children's learning and development
LO3 Compare and contrast different pedagogical approaches used in early childhood education in Ireland
LO4 Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of early intervention strategies and the challenges faced by the ECE sector in providing for special educational rights in Ireland.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introducing Síolta and Aistear
The context, development and engagement with Síolta and Aistear and their impact on early childhood education in Ireland. Overview of the Aistear / Síolta Practice Guide.
Introduction to Play as as Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education
Play as a context for early learning and development, types of play, the benefits of play, the role of adults in supporting children's play
Introduction to approaches to early childhood learning and development
HighScope, Montessori, Play-based emergent curriculum
Introduction to Special Needs Education in the ECE context in Ireland
Introduction to the National Guideline regarding special education needs In Ireland
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Assessment60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Assignment % of total: 40
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Two critiques comparing various pedagogies used in early childhood education, e.g., HighScope, Montessori or Play-based emergent curriculum
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 60
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
A formal exam will take place at the end of the semester, which will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and awareness of different aspects of the course, for example, Aistear & Siolta, play as pedagogy, and the challenges of providing for special educational rights in ECE settings.
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat failed items
The student must repeat any item failed

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture per week 3 Once per semester 0.25
Independent Learning No Description 18 Once per semester 1.50
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.25
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education. (2006), Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education.
  • National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. (2009), Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Dublin.
  • Kernan, Margaret. (2009), Play as a Context for Early Learning and Development, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Dublin.
  • Penny Deiner. (2012), Inclusive Early Childhood Education: Development, Resources, and Practice, Wadsworth Publishing, p.640, [ISBN: 9781111837150].
  • Maire Mhic Mhathuna (Editor), Mark Taylor (Editor). (2012), Early Childhood Education & Care, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, p.384, [ISBN: 9780717153244].
  • National Council for Curriculum & Assessment. (2015), Aistear / Síolta Practice Guide, NCCA, Dublin.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • [Journals], An Leanbh Óg: The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies.
  • [Journals], Australian Journal of Early Childhood Education.
  • [Journals], British Educational Research Journal.
  • [Journals], Childhood Education.
  • [Journals], Early Child Development and Care.
  • [Journals], Early Education and Development.
  • [Journals], Educational Researcher.
  • [Journals], Early Years Educational Research Journal.
  • [Journals], Education 3-13.
  • [Journals], European Early Childhood Educational Research Journal.
  • [Journals], International Journal of Early Childhood. various.
  • [Journals], International Journal of Early Years Education.
  • [Journals], Journal of Early Childhood Literacy.
  • [Journals], Journal of Research in Childhood Education.
  • [Journals], Oxford Review of Education.
  • [Journals], New research journal (Irish based).
  • [Journal], Oideas (Dept of Education journal last edition 2010).
  • [Website], http://childrensresearchnetwork.org/.
  • [Website], Aistear Tooolkit: http://www.ncca.ie/en/Curriculum.
  • [Website], Síolta website: http://www.Síolta.ie/.
  • [Website], National Children's Database. National Children's Database,
    http://www.childrensdatabase.ie
Discussion Note: