Course Overview
Child Development is a very popular subject in KS4. It includes the study of conception, care of the pregnant woman, birth, every aspect of child care and development and many other aspects of modern life. As a teacher and parent I strongly feel that Child Development is a very important subject which teaches vital parenting skills required in today's society.
FAQs
What are the aims of the course?
To increase students’ knowledge and understanding of all areas of child development including pregnancy and factors which affect the young child.
What topics will I study?
Parenthood and pregnancy, physical development, nutrition and health, intellectual, social and emotional development. The family and the community.
What skills will I develop?
Researching, analysing, planning, observing, understanding and evaluating relevant areas of the subject.
What examination will I take?
OCR. G.C.S.E. “Child Development”
What is involved with the examination?
A written examination 1.5hrs - 40%
What controlled assessment will I have to complete?
Controlled Assessment - 60%
Three short tasks which are based on the syllabus and one long and detailed project called “Individual Task” based on the study of a child or children. Students will be responsible for finding their own child to study.
What independent study will I have to undertake?
A large section of this coursework requires ongoing individual study.
What career opportunities could the course help to give me?
A grounding for the following qualifications: - NVQ’s in “Early Years Care & Education”; NVQ’s in “Playwork Level 2-4”; CACHE “Certificate in Child Care & Education”; CACHE “Diploma in Nursery Nursing”; BTEC “National Diploma in Childhood Studies”. Some of these qualifications could lead to employment in playgroups, day nurseries and private nanny/family help. Others could lead to careers in nursing, teaching and other related professions.
What are the special features of the course?
Special features of the course include outside speakers such as mothers accompanied by their babies, school nurse and representatives from organisations will be invited to talk to students. Some visits to playgroup and toddler groups are also included. Students will be given the opportunity of taking home overnight a ‘Real Care Baby’ to get a snapshot of the responsibilities and hard work of parenthood
GCSE - Year 10
- The course covers the following topics:
- Safety in the home, garden and on the road
- Care and development of the new born baby
- Nutrition, feeding and food hygiene
- Immunisation, infectious illnesses
- Learning through play, types of play
- Physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of 0-5 years
Assessment opportunities
Four mini projects called 'Resoruce Tasks' which are based on the syllabus
(20% of final assessment).
Useful resources
'Child Development' J. Marshall and S. Stuart
ISBN 0-435-42052-6
'Child Care and Development 4th edition' P. Minett
ISBN 0-7195-8610-0
'From Birth to Five Years' M. Sheridan
ISBN 0-415-09114-4
Further Information
A large section of this coursework requires ongoing individual study.
The course is a grounding for the following qualifications: - NVQ's in "Early Years Care and Education"; NVQ's in "Playworks Level 2-4"; CACHE "Certificate in Child Care and Education"; CACHE "Diploma in Nursery Nursing"; BTEC "National Diploma in Childhood Studies". Some of these qualifications could lead to employment in playgroups, day nurseries and private nanny/family help. Others could lead to careers in nursing, teaching and other related professions.
The special features of the course include outside speakers such as mothers accompanied by their babies, school nurse and representatives from organisations will be invited to talk to pupils. Some visits to playgroup and toddler groups are also included. Pupils will be given the opportunity of taking home overnight a 'Real Care Baby' to get a snapshot of the the responsibilities and hard work of parenthood.
GCSE - Year 11
- The course covers the following:
- Contraception, pre-conceptual care, conception, infertility and genes
- Symptoms of pregnancy, miscarriage, premature babies, ectopic pregnancy, development of the foetus, antenatal care, abnormalities, problems during pregnancy
- Labour and birth, postnatal care
- Family structures
- Child care for working parents
- Local authority care, fostering and adoption
- Children with special needs
- Support for parents
- Child abuse
Assessment opportunities
50% coursework, 50% examination.
- A long and detailed project called 'Individual Task' based on the study of a child or children. (30% of final assessment).
- Two hour written examination.
Further Information
A large section of this coursework requires ongoing individual study.
The course is a grounding for the following qualifications: - NVQ's in "Early Years Care and Education"; NVQ's in "Playwork Level 2-4"; CACHE "Certificate in Child Care and Education"; CACHE "Diploma in Nursery Nursing"; BTEC "National Diploma in Childhood Studies". Some of these qualifications could lead to employment in playgroups, day nurseries and private nanny/family help. Others could lead to careers in nursing, teaching and other related professions.
The special features of the course include outside speakers such as mothers accompanied by their babies, school nurse and representatives from organisations will be invited to talk to pupils. Some visits to playgroup and toddler groups are also included. Pupils will be given the opportunity of taking home overnight a 'Real Care Baby' to get a snapshot of the responsibilities and hard work of parenthood.
From Sept 2009 Year 10 will follow the same syllabus, but the coursework has altered from 50% coursework and 50% exam. To 60% coursework and 40% exam.
Candidates will be expected to produce 3 short tasks ( 2 investigative and 1 practical ) which will give a total of 30%. The individual Task still remains and is still worth 30%.
The examination will be a 1hr 30 minutes.
The Child Decelopment Staff:
Mrs C. Swain
Subject Coordinator / Teacher of Textiles Technology/H&SC.
Miss P. Harris
Teacher of Child Development / Food and Textiles Technology.
Ms L. Chan
Teacher of Child Development / Food and Textiles Technology
Light Hall School 2010.
All Rights Reserved | 
