Educational context: Further education

Target learners: Further education students studying PLC course for a certificate in early learning and care in marino college

Learning design approach: ABC learning design

Timing: 90 minute learning session

Session Learning Outcomes:

students should be able to :

1. Understand the development stages of early childhood and their characteristics.

2. The importance of play in learning.

3. Developmental Journey project.

Understanding the developmental stages of children is crucial for teachers as it enables them to create a supportive, responsive, and effective learning environment that meets the needs of their students.

Presentation on Microsoft powerpoint

Time: 20 minutes

Resources: Microsoft powerpoint

In groups of 4, students will discuss the different stages and share their observations, experiences, what they thought was interesting and what they didn't understand, on a shared padlet. Students can add to this at their own time and go back and look at what their group members have shared.

Time: 15 minutes

Resources: Shared padlet

Students should watch this video to understand why play is important for children's cognitive development and it will help students complete the task after.

Through play children learn to solve problems, develop social skills, and explore their creativity. It can also help children build resilience, empathy and independence and this is all explained in the video above.

Time: 10 minutes

Resources: YouTube video

They must create a timeline for the different stages of childhood development and give a description of what milestones usually occur at different ages and in each of their categories (cognitive, physical, emotional and social development) students can also add in personal experiences if they wish.

Time: 20 minutes

Resources: Instructions for students, powerpoint slides to look back on.

Shared powerpoint where groups of 4 or 5 can share and explore ideas on how to promote games for cognitive development, social, creative and problem solving skills in the classroom.

By collaborating this should help students share their ideas and see other peoples perspectives.

Time: 20 minutes

Resources: powerpoint

A kahoot quiz on :

• The development stages of early childhood and their characteristics

• The importance of games in the classroom for cognitive development and the other benefits that students have explored.

Time: 5 minutes

Resources: Kahoot quiz

[Online Video]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY6rHnP4bSI. [Accessed: 24 October 2024].

1. Slides for powerpoint for Activity 1

2. Group Padlet

3. Shared powerpoint

4. Kahoot quiz