Languages of Children

    Unit code: ECE6011 | Study level: Postgraduate
    12
    (Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
    Footscray Nicholson
    Online Self-Paced
    VU Sydney
    ECE6009 - Early Childhood Development Learning and Teaching
    (Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
    Overview
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    Overview

    This unit focuses on the many languages of children including artistic modes of expression, asking students to reconsider taken for granted responses to languages, literacies and materials.


    Drawing on philosophical understandings of expression including ‘the hundred languages of children’ articulated in the Reggio Emilia approach, this unit examines meaning-making through languages and literacies including the languages of music, movement, drama, visual arts, storytelling, technology, and interactions with materials. Students will engage with Place from First Nations standpoints and with these multiple languages in order to develop an understanding of how children, including EAL learners, communicate in many different ways and how these languages can inspire rich multi-disciplinary, multi-literate and multi-modal learning experiences and channels for children to express ideas.


    Underpinning this unit is the recognition that our interactions and relationships with each other and the material and immaterial world are complex social acts and that meaning-making occurs through languages and literacies experiences that hold purpose in rich, thoughtful environments and which include critical and multi-literacy experiences. Students will use a range of arts and other languages to understand themselves as early childhood teachers, and how children engage with the world through a variety of languages. Students will also reflect how to understand these languages in planning, initiating new ideas, and making decisions regarding construction of curriculum for young children.

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

    1. Articulate and explore the many and varied languages of human expression through personal, social and philosophical perspectives;
    2. Contextualise language, communication and the arts as complex social acts;
    3. Apply the many languages of expression to create learning environments that support children's play exploration and communication, showing an ability to support EAL learners and First Nations perspectives;
    4. Make connections between Place-based and First Nations perspectives, Indigenous modes of expression, and languages, literacies and the Arts.

    Study as a single unit

    This unit can be studied on its own, without enrolling in a full degree.

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    Assessment

    For Melbourne campuses

    Assessment type: Creative Works
    |
    Grade: 30%
    Play and experiment with materials and artistic languages to create your own artwork
    Assessment type: Assignment
    |
    Grade: 30%
    Create a mind map to communicate ideas about language development in early childhood
    Assessment type: Journal
    |
    Grade: 40%
    Document and reflect on personal learning experiences

    Required reading

    Readings will be provided via VU Collaborate.

    As part of a course

    This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

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