Supporting Children’s Well-Being and Joyful Learning

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Supporting Children’s Well-Being and Joyful Learning (ECE105)

Synopsis

ECE105 Supporting Children’s Well-Being and Joyful Learning explores ways in which early childhood educators can guide and scaffold young children’s everyday learning through the provision of nurturing and responsive environments. The course encourages educators to re-think children’s challenging misbehaviours, to explore diverse ways to support children’s natural curiosity and their individual strengths; and to guide them into becoming relational and caring citizens. The concept of child-centred pedagogy and its implications for early childhood care and education settings (birth-8) are examined in light of existing cultural values and beliefs steeped in the Singapore context. The role of early childhood educators in building an inclusive community that nurtures children with diverse needs and interests is also discussed.

Level: 1
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: -

Topics

An introduction to child-centred pedagogy
Quality teacher child interactions: The need for warmth and responsiveness
Understanding common needs and interests of infants
Understanding common needs and interests of toddlers
Understanding common needs and interests of pre-schoolers and older children
Rethinking ‘misbehaviours’ to understand individual children’s thinking
Recognising the three levels of mistaken behaviours
Pro-active measures through daily routines and transitions
Pro-active measures that build an encouraging –environment
Children’s physical and psychological safety and wellbeing
Nurturing children’s social competence and healthy risk-taking
Building an inclusive community with children

Learning Outcome

Explain the importance of child-centred pedagogy
Describe the role of child-centred pedagogical practices in promoting young children’s wellbeing and learning
Illustrate ways in which the environment can be effectively used to build encouraging classrooms
Identify ways in which social competence can be nurtured
State ways to build inclusive communities in early childhood settings
Apply child-centred principles in providing responsive care and education in the early years