BA (Hons) Children’s Health and Wellbeing

Child Development

This module introduces the nature of developmental psychology and encourages a critical understanding of psychological theories in relation to children’s development.

You will explore implications for practice within Early Years curriculums and policy, and investigate the relationships between different domains, such as biological, social, emotional and cognitive.

You will be introduced to the idea that development is not fixed at ages and stages, but instead is influenced by social and historical contexts, and explore links between theories of child development and how they underpin and inform practice within the Early Years sector.  

Introduction to Academic and Professional Skills

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of professional and academic skills, including academic writing, reasoning, argument, and critical thinking. 

You will be introduced to a range of literature and study various approaches to topics covered within their respective subject areas.

This module will develop digital literacy skills to support professional readiness and will include CV writing and employability skills.

Safeguarding and Integrated Practice

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the child safeguarding agenda and underpinning legislation.

You will be introduced to current debates around children’s rights, within the current and relevant political frameworks. The complex inter-relationships between protection and rights will also be explored.

You will develop a clear understanding of their duty to safeguard and the reporting responsibilities that accompany this in practice.

Culture, Diversity and Challenging Prejudice

This module aims to develop cultural awareness, promote respect for diversity and develop an understanding of the roots of prejudice. Through discussion and activities, it will encourage you to reflect on personal attitudes and unconscious bias.

In this module, you will consider the impact of cultural heritage, poverty and diversity on education and lived experience and will make clear links to sustainable development goals.  

Introduction to Health and Wellbeing

This module aims to introduce you to the concept of health and wellbeing, as well as the various factors that influence a child’s health. You will explore different perspectives on the definitions of health and wellbeing, gaining a deeper understanding of the holistic aspects of health.

There will be a focus on children’s developmental understanding of health and wellbeing, alongside an examination of the impact of both short-term illnesses and long-term conditions.

The module will also examine the overall health of children within the nation, identifying key areas of concern. You will explore health inequalities and the factors contributing to the decline or improvements in children’s health. Both the short-term and long-term consequences of children not achieving optimal health and wellbeing will be discussed.

You will be introduced to the roles of the multidisciplinary teams in the health and education sectors, focusing on how they support children’s health and wellbeing. Additionally, you will explore the connection between these practices and the health frameworks in both sectors, along with their alignment to government policies and initiatives.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a solid foundation of knowledge to support children’s health and wellbeing across education, social care, and health settings.

Children’s Play and Creativity

This module will explore the role of play and creativity in child development. This will include definitions and characteristics of play as well as different types of play.

You will examine the theoretical perspectives and research that underpins the study of play in childhood. There will be guidance and encouragement to foster an awareness of how cultural, social, and historical contexts shape the nature and value of play and creativity.

Areas explored in the module will include the influence of technology on traditional play and the role of play in education, including the impact of play-based learning on academic achievement. You will discuss barriers to play, the impact of overscheduling, and the decline of play in modern society.