Course Tutors
The purpose of this course is to deepen the knowledge, needs, and rights of young children through psychopedagogical, sociological, and cultural approaches.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
- Knowledge level: Have proven knowledge and understanding of the developmental domains of preschool children, children’s rights, and the influencing parameters. The extension of knowledge will be achieved through self-directed research activities.
- Competence level: Be able to use their comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the child, and possess the abilities to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments, within a broader (or interdisciplinary) framework related to their field of study.
- Have an awareness of responsibilities and expectations within the educational system and combine knowledge to manage complex issues and make judgments. Their competencies will enable them to interpret, based on contemporary theoretical approaches, the pedagogical practices and innovations applied in preschool education settings.
- Understand the relationship between educational policies, learning models, and pedagogical practices implemented in preschool education institutions. They will also be able to analyze the factors that determine the quality offered in preschool institutions.
- Learning skills: Be able to explain and communicate their conclusions regarding the characteristics of childhood, as well as the social and cultural parameters on which these are based, both to specialized and non-specialized audiences.
- Be able to continue their studies in a largely independent or autonomous manner.
General Competences
- Searching, analyzing, and synthesizing data and information, using the necessary technologies.
- Adaptation to new situations.
- Independent work.
- Teamwork.
- Work in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Generation of new research ideas.
- Project design and management.
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism.
- Demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues.
- Exercise of critique and self-critique.
- Promotion of free, creative, and inductive thinking.
COURSE CONTENT
- Identities of infancy and childhood – Cultural aspects of childhood – Multiculturalism.
- Anthropology of childhood.
- Psychopedagogical research approaches to childhood.
- Childhood and migration.
- Gender dimensions of childhood.
- Aspects of childhood in the age of images.
- Children and early interactions – Promoting children’s autonomy.
- Children as citizens with rights – Children’s rights and protection.
- Inequalities and exclusions in preschool education.
- Issues of accessibility of children to preschool education structures – Inclusive education.
- Quality in preschool education: quality of structures, staff, and programs.
- Studies by European and International Organizations on the quality of preschool education.
- Child neglect and abuse – Pedagogy and protection services – Supporting institutions for children and families.