Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module outlines the current policy, practice and research landscape for young children’s participation in Early Childhood Education and Care settings both nationally and internationally. It evaluates the evolution of children’s participation and explores current ECEC provision in Ireland and beyond. Early childhood frameworks and curricula are analysed as well as the theoretical perspectives of the so-called pioneers of early childhood education. The module explores various models of participation from a rights based perspective and analyses case studies relating to these models in action. Appropriate approaches and contexts such as emergent, active and playful learning, among others, are explored as a means to support all babies, toddlers and young children’s participation. Children’s participation rights, voice and agency are explored from a theoretical and practical perspective. Children's position within the power dynamics that arise within research and the importance of children's relative position in that is scrutinized. Dialogic discussion, sharing of professional practice and reflection on application to practice will be central to student engagement and participation in the module as a means of promoting communities of practice across early childhood education. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Analyse the evolution of children’s participation in early childhood education and care from diverse national and international perspectives. 2. Critically reflect on models of participation and evaluate their impact on early childhood education and care policy, practice and research today. 3. Engage in critical discourse on children’s participation in early childhood settings in diverse national and international curricular contexts. 4. Analyse appropriate approaches to support social justice, equality, early learning, development and all children's participation. 5. Discuss ethical research principles and practices from a children’s rights’ perspective when working and researching with babies, toddlers and young children. 6. Analyse and critique discourse surrounding children’s voice, agency and leadership in early childhood policy, pedagogy and research. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Indicative Content • Children’s participation in early childhood education and care: A journey through time • Children’s voice, agency and leadership in early childhood education in early educational setting and sharing practice • Children’s participation in play • Active learning and emergent curricular approaches • Approaches to the inclusive support of children’s participation, including those from diverse groups and age ranges • Children’s participation rights and equality in early childhood education and care • Researching children’s perspectives in early educational settings and sharing practice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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Other Resources
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