ObjectivesGraduates of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education will:
* have an understanding of the development of children in the age ranges of birth to eight years and the implications for the provision of care and educational services in child-care, kindergarten and primary school settings;
* demonstrate an understanding of current curriculum theories and pedagogy in the design and implementation of child-centred, play-based and developmentally appropriate curriculum and the implications of this for young children in child-care, kindergarten and primary school settings;
* be able to plan, implement and evaluate learning experiences across a range of learning areas for infants and children and show an awareness of development, individual needs and desired learning outcomes;
* demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of Australian society and the influence of culture, family circumstances, gender and disability on development and the influence of these on the education of young children;
* show an awareness of the importance of parent involvement in the education of young children and be able to form partnerships with parents concerning their child's care and education;
* understand basic principles of management, leadership, advocacy for collaborative work-based practices in children's services and in primary schools;
* understand the diverse roles of teachers in child-care, kindergarten and primary school settings;
* show an awareness of current issues in early childhood education and the need for continued reflection and research as a basis for examining the significance of these issues on educational practice; and
* have acquired the skills necessary to design research questions and conduct small-scale research.
Academic titleBachelor of Early Childhood Education
Course descriptionFirst Year
Course Stream Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
483-103 Learning Area(EC): Arts 1
This subject introduces the arts in early childhood focusing on the visual arts, drama and music. Using play, aesthetic learning and cognition as central themes, students will engage in workshop experiences to develop practical skills in arts making ... Year Long 12.50
485-100 Learning Area: Mathematics 1
This subject deals with mathematical content in Number, Working Mathematically, Chance and Data of the Victorian primary mathematic curriculum. Students will deepen their own knowledge of these topics and study the way in which children think and lea... Year Long 12.50
460-108 Teaching and Professional Practice 1A
Students will begin to develop their understanding of the role of early childhood teachers and the early childhood curriculum in services for children aged 3-5 years. Students will begin to develop skills in communication, observing and recording chi... Semester 1 6.25
472-110 Learning, Teaching and Play 1A
This subject will explore the role of teachers in supporting learning and development for pre-school aged children using strategies that recognise young children as active participants in their own learning. It will provide an overview of the relatio... Semester 1 6.25
472-101 Physical Development
This subject will study the factors that influence growth, maturation and development during infancy and early childhood using guided observations of infants and young children to examine the state of the infant at birth and patterns of development f... Semester 1 12.50
472-103 Orientation to the Profession
This subject provides students with a mapping framework to understand the fundamental structural and organisational elements of the early childhood field in contemporary Australia. It begins by examining the notion of a profession and professionalism... Semester 1 12.50
460-109 Teaching and Professional Practice 1B
Students will continue to develop their initial understandings of the broad role of early childhood teachers, the care and education of young children, the early childhood curriculum and the learning and development processes. Students will continue ... Semester 2 6.25
472-111 Learning, Teaching and Play 1B
This subject will explore the role of teachers in supporting learning and development for young children and will examine the relationship between learning, play, and the role of the teacher including speaking with children, supporting behaviour and ... Semester 2 6.25
472-102 Language and Literacy Development
This subject will introduce aspects of language and literacy crucial for an understanding of the education and enculturation of young children, emphasising the interaction between children and diverse sources of spoken and written language. The devel... Semester 2 12.50
485-103 Learning Area(EC):Health & Physical Ed 1
Health as a multidimensional construct and the opportunities for early childhood educators to promote positive social, emotional, physical and mental health. The health status of Australian children - the differentials and determinants. Issues relati... Semester 2 12.50
Second Year
Course Stream Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
485-200 ICT and Children's Learning
The focus of this subject is on developing a sound understanding of how current information and communication technologies can be used to support curriculum goals and to enhance teaching and learning in early childhood and primary settings. Year Long 12.50
485-201 Learning Area(EC): Mathematics 2
This subject deals with mathematics, especially in the areas of space and measurement in pre-school and primary schools. Students will extend their own knowledge by engaging in challenging mathematical tasks. They will examine knowledge of children&a... Year Long 12.50
460-208 Teaching and Professional Practice 2A
Students will refine and reflect on their professional practice and increase their level of responsibility in services for children under three years of age. Students will refine skills for communicating with infants, toddlers, parents and staff; doc... Semester 1 6.25
472-210 Learning & Teaching for Young Children2A
This subject will focus on best practice for infants and toddlers and the provision of high quality care and education. Key areas of curriculum for children under three years of age will be studied including adult-child interactions, the development ... Semester 1 6.25
472-201 Cognitive Development
A focus on neurological development will lead to a study of factors affecting the development of cognition in children. Relevant classical and contemporary psychological theories of cognitive development including learning theory, Piaget's cogni... Semester 1 12.50
472-203 Dimensions of the Profession
Critical debates surrounding responsibilities for children during the early childhood years provide the contexts to explore moral and ethical dimensions of professional practice. Case studies on topics such as separations and transitions, balancing w... Semester 1 12.50
460-209 Teaching and Professional Practice 2B
Students will develop their initial understanding of the early years curriculum in primary schools, the role of the teacher within and beyond the classroom, the teaching and learning processes, and the ways in which the primary school works within th... Semester 2 6.25
472-211 Learning & Teaching for Young Children2B
This subject will examine the strategies of early years curriculum (P-2) in primary schools covering the educational priorities, goals, documentation and assessment for effective learning. The conceptual and methodological bases of teaching strategie... Semester 2 6.25
472-202 Learning Area(EC): Society & Environment
This subject will explore key issues identified in SOSE CSFII levels 1-3 - issues related to society, the environment, children's understanding of these issues and the role of adults including teachers and parents and adult agencies in affecting... Semester 2 12.50
483-202 Learning Area(EC): Language & Literacy 2
This subject will focus on curriculum design and development to support children's language development and emergent literacy practices in early childhood care and education contexts. Topics will include scope and sequence of language and litera... Semester 2 12.50
Third Year
Course Stream Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
483-203 Learning Area(EC): Arts 2
This subject engages students in extended practical experiences in visual arts, drama and music. Students will make, display and perform their own artworks and reflect upon their own arts processes using a range of appropriate technologies. Studies w... Year Long 12.50
460-308 Teaching and Professional Practice 3A
Students will implement and evaluate planned sustained teaching tasks across a range of curriculum areas, culminating in extended teaching programs for whole days. Students will apply their understanding of learning theory and teaching skills in mana... Semester 1 6.25
472-310 Adapting the Curriculum 3A
This subject will explore teaching techniques and their adaptation to different abilities and learning styles; and a range of learning outcomes in school settings. It will develop linkages with Teaching and Professional Practice and build on the unde... Semester 1 6.25
483-302 Learning Area(EC): Language & Literacy 3
This subject will focus on curriculum design and development to support continuing movement towards independence in the use of oral language and the development of literacy practices. Topics will include the continuing role of oral language in learni... Semester 1 12.50
485-203 Learning Area(EC):Health & Physical Ed 2
This subject is focused on extending the work you did in HPE 1 associated with childcare and kindergarten to the primary school setting. There are two main features of this subject: (1) Teaching physical education in the primary school, and (2) Healt... Semester 1 12.50
460-309 Teaching and Professional Practice 3B
Students will increase their responsibility for an early childhood program and its implementation. Students will plan and implement curriculum that is responsive to group dynamics, children's needs and interests and that acknowledges gender, cul... Semester 2 6.25
472-311 Adapting the Curriculum 3B
This subject will explore teaching techniques and their adaptation to different abilities and learning styles; and a range of learning outcomes in settings for children 3-5 years of age. It will develop linkages with Teaching and Professional Practic... Semester 2 6.25
472-301 Social and Emotional Development
A study of normative patterns and individual differences in children's social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood. Key theories, models and research about the effect of biological predispositions such as temperament and cont... Semester 2 12.50
472-303 Professional Roles and Relationships
The contemporary early childhood professionals perform a variety of roles ranging from being child development specialists to family resource guides, child advocates, policy analysts and researchers. Consideration of competencies in relation to the m... Semester 2 12.50
485-303 Learning Area(EC): Science & Technology
Topics include the relevance to children of both scientific ideas and the thinking associated with technology. Selected aspects of biological and physical science that are relevant to early childhood and primary educators such as the diversity of liv... Semester 2 12.50
Fourth Year
Course Stream Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
460-406 Teaching and Professional Practice 4a
Students will increase their responsibility for independently planning and implementing a range of sustained and comprehensive teaching tasks. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, implement, evaluate, reflect on, rese... Semester 1 12.50
472-410 The Integrated Curriculum 4A
This subject will explore a range of learning outcomes in school settings developing teaching practices that build on understandings developed in previous subjects. This subject will examine how an integrated curriculum is planned and implemented in ... Semester 1 6.25
472-401 Developmental Differences
This subject is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of current philosophies, structure, levels of support and developmental and educational evaluation informing curriculum and behavioural interventions required to educate and supp... Semester 1 12.50
472-402 Indigenous Australian Studies
A study of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australian) cultures: the origins, diversity, history and contemporary issue and initiatives of Indigenous Australian peoples. Strategies for working with Austr... Semester 1 12.50
460-425 Project Design
Recent research literature will be examined to assess current issues and problems in early childhood practice. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be introduced to examine approaches to research design and the range of tools and instrumentation... Semester 1 6.25
460-405 Teaching and Professional Practice 4b
Students will increase their responsibility for management and leadership in an early childhood service. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan, implement and evaluate sustained, integrated and inclusive curriculum that acknowledges and respon... Semester 2 12.50
472-411 The Integrated Curriculum 4B
This subject will explore teaching techniques and their adaptation to different abilities and learning styles; and a range of learning outcomes in preschool settings. It will develop linkages with teaching and professional practice and build on the u... Semester 2 6.25
472-403 Navigating Professional Contexts
In this subject, students are introduced to systemic dimensions such as governance, management, administration, sources of funding, marketing, policy development and program evaluation. Exploration of the roles of stakeholders emphasise the importanc... Semester 2 12.50
485-301 Learning Area(EC): Mathematics 3
This subject surveys early numeracy programs, the early diagnosis of mathematics learning difficulties and intervention strategies. Students will learn to identify the normal stages through which children pass in early mathematical learning and to de... Semester 2 12.50
460-426 Project Report
This subject builds on the project developed in the subject Project Design and requires students to synthesise, analyse and evaluate the results obtained from a small-scale project on an early childhood issue. The findings and implications will be pr... Semester 2 6.25
Course Stream Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
460-428 Project Design (Honours)
Recent research literature will be examined to assess current issues and problems in early childhood practice. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be introduced to examine approaches to research design and the range of tools and instrumentation... Semester 1 6.25
460-429 Project Report (Honours)
This subject builds on the project developed in the subject Project Design (Honours) and requires students to synthesise, analyse and evaluate the results obtained from a small-scale project on an early childhood issue. The findings and implications ... Semester 2 6.25