Overview

In this unit, pre-service teachers explore theories of social and emotional development that enable children to build a sense of wellbeing and identity, and the capacity to be resilient. This unit provides pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills required by early childhood professionals to develop positive relationships with children. The pre-service teachers learn about pedagogical practices, and ways of interacting and communicating with young children that support children to develop reciprocal and respectful relationships with adults and other children.

Requisites

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Summarise the concept of wellbeing, including physical, social, spiritual and emotional aspects
  • Recognise the impact situational, family, cultural, and environmental aspects have upon children’s wellbeing and resilience
  • Describe theories of social and emotional development
  • Demonstrate support strategies to illustrate a positive sense of self, taking into account the impact of social and physical environments
  • Discuss the importance of supporting children’s emerging autonomy and agency
  • Develop a variety of effective strategies that contribute to a strong sense of identity and wellbeing

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Workshop
2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Activities
Various
6.00 8 weeks 48
Unspecified Activities
Various
5.50 12 weeks 66
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case StudiesIndividual 30% 4,5,6 
EssayIndividual 30% 1,3 
PortfolioIndividual 40% 2,4,6 

Content

  • Theories of wellbeing including attachment theory
  • Models that align attachment theory to practice
  • Humane education and fostering dispositions of empathy, kindness and respect 
  • Emotional wellbeing and involvement scales
  • Common causes of stress in children
  • Effective communication with children of different ages
  • Resilience and development
  • Collaborating respectfully with children and families including congruent practices
  • Impact of family, culture and community on children’s identity, resilience and wellbeing
  • Common contemporary factors that impact on children’s wellbeing
  • Strategies that support wellbeing, identity, resilience and agency
  • Setting up environments and implementing curriculum to promote a positive sense of identity

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.