Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2018 - 2019
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Description Building on students’ knowledge of a holistic pedagogy of care, and of teaching and learning this module will involve exploration of the outdoor environment as an appropriate space for child development and learning. It will raise awareness of the physical, social and environmental settings available outdoors to children in their everyday lives. Students will examine the role of movement experiences outdoors that will develop motor competence and encourage motor confidence, creativity, social skills and physical activity levels of young children. Year round access to outdoor play spaces will be debated in an Irish and international context including the types of environment and experiences young children need. Students will learn how to construct play areas that are physically and emotionally safe to promote physical and collaborative play. Emphasis will be on the importance of giving children time and scope to acquire, refine and consolidate their developing skills during outdoor play that can involve risk taking behaviours while investigating the role of the adult in providing non-directive but vigilant support. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Analyse the economic, social and cultural structure of communities in which children live and the resulting built and natural play environments available to children in their everyday lives. 2. Analyse debates around the influences on children’s outdoor lives and children’s agency in their outdoor lives 3. Describe the crucial role of physical and outdoor play in child development with particular reference to motor competencies, social skills, creativity, place attachment, well-being and physical activity levels. 4. Identify how making a journey outdoors can contribute to a child’s learning. 5. Describe the role of the adult in facilitating learning through play outdoors. 6. Adopt a critical and reflective stance to issues related to outdoor learning including ‘risk taking’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Using the outdoors as an adultThe principles and opportunities of ‘wildways learning’Well-being, enjoyment and belongingExploring the rationale for using the outdoor learning environmentReflection on babies outsideExploring opportunities for parents and careworkers to be outdoors with babiesPhysical environmentsFor play and the influence of the structure of communities on these environmentsProvision for physical play and movement outdoorsProvision for physical play and movement outdoors e.g. running, rolling, sliding, climbing and riding vehicles using a variety of terrains and equipmentProvision for outdoor playProvision for outdoor play with water, using natural materials, and involving constructionProvision for outdoor play beyond the childcare setting/off siteMaking journeys off-site including exploration of journey-making, using maps and storiesYear round accessYear round access to outdoor play spaces in an Irish and international contextPersonal study and designPersonal study and design of some particular built and natural play environments for use by babies, toddlers and young childrenSafe practice in outdoor learningRisk and benefit analysisThe role of outdoor playThe role of outdoor play in the promotion of motor competence (fundamental movement skills), social skills, creativity and physical activity levelsRisk-taking in playRisk-taking in playExploration of movement experiencesExploration of movement experiences which will include body and spatial awareness, locomotor and non-locomotor skills, directionality, pathways, levels and tempoPractical co-operative and competitive games and challenges outdoorsCo-operative play within dance using action songs; competitive tasks: how quick, how far, how long?The extent of young children’s involvement in outdoor playThe extent of young children’s involvement in outdoor play outside of formal class (physical education class) time in the primary school contextConnecting movement experiences of babies, toddlers and young childrenConnecting movement experiences of babies, toddlers and young children outdoors with indoor/classroom activities through exploration of colours, shapes, patterns, relationships, use of body through sensesThe role of the adult (parent, care-worker, teacher)The role of the adult (parent, care-worker, teacher) in supporting the child’s learning outdoors: a focus on practiceReflection on physical activityReflection on physical activity in everyday routines for the baby, toddler and young childOutdoor learning and curricula, frameworksExamination of curricula internationally (Forest Schools, TeWhariki) and approaches (Steiner Waldorf) as well as Aistear | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 34429, Website, 0, Primary School Sports Initiative. Primary school sports initiative resource materials for teaching physical education (PSSI)., http://www.ppds.ie/pcsparchive/pe/pssi/clickme.html, 34430, Website, Western Australia Minister for Education., 2004, Fundamental movement skills teacher resource learning, teaching and assessment Book 1 & 2, http://det.wa.edu.au/stepsresources/detcms/education/stepsresources/fundamental-movement-skills/fundament-movement-skillsbook-1.en?oid=com.arsdigita.cms.contenttypes.FileStorageItem-id-13807297, 34431, Website, Learning Through Landscapes, 0, Early Years Outdoors, Learning through landscapes support service for all setting from birth to 5 years, www.ltl.org.uk, 34432, Website, 0, Early Years Outdoor Learning Toolkit -, http://apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/uploads/documents/Norfolk%20Outdoor%20learning%20Early%20Years%20TOol%20kit_1299.pdf, 34433, Website, 0, 'Early Years Outdoor Learning Toolkit -', http://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/lets-go-outside/, 34434, Twitter, 0, Aistear, Social media: Twitter tags: #aistear, 34435, Website, 0, Professional networking: Geography Champions, http://geographychampions.ning.com/, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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