Course Resources Archive

Within today's international society it is important that those working in early years are aware of and understand events, practices and research that emanate from other countries. This module enables students to review critically research evidence about the effects of different types of provision in different countries from around the world with an aim to review their own understanding of the practice that they value. The following issues will be addressed: the history, philosophy and politics of models of early childhood services outside the UK, philosophical and ideological starting points, pedagogical approaches, views of the learner and learning; the role of the family in care and education, social policy and training requirements. An active learning approach will also be encouraged through case study visits to different UK settings.

i. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the module students should be able to:
a) Demonstrate a critical understanding of comparative studies and its value to the field of early years
b) Critically examine how early years education and care in other countries is affected by political and economic factors
c) Articulate with confidence the conceptual differences between early years education and care in this country with those in other countries
d) Engage critically with the concept of the family and community and how differences in countries impact on education and care practices for early years children
e) Reflect critically on own practice and how this is / may be affected by knowledge from international comparisons.

ii.  Skills
By the end of the module students should have developed skills in:
a) Critically analysing literature and information from a variety of sources
b) Engaging in informed academic debate
c) Reflective practice

Staff / student contact 20% (to include: educational visits, lectures, group work, group tutorials, individual tutorial)
Student independent study 80%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.