Human Development Subjects
The purpose of these studies is to provide an understanding of human development and the health and care principles and procedures necessary to foster this development, particularly between birth and 17 years.
Part 1 (13 t.h.)
A general Introduction to development, both psychological and physical, plus procedures Involved in the day-to-day care of infants, toddlers, children and adolescents.
Psychological development (8.5 t.h.) — processes underlying develop- ment; emotions and their development, the role of emotions such as anxiety in development, growth and control of emotions, emotional stability and disturbance, the importance of the nurturing environment; cognitive development, an introduction to perceptual and cognitive growth, stages in cognitive development, mechanisms of growth, factors affecting development; observational and Infer- ential skills.
Physical development (2.5 t.h.) — the reproductive process and prin- ciples of inheritance; structure and physiology of the nervous, skeletal and muscular systems, posture and age related changes;
sensory and motor competence of the neonate and its development with age; the functions of the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems.
Day-to-day care procedures (2.0 t.h.) — procedures relevant to differing age groups from birth to late adolescence, basic mothercraft skills;
routines and schedules; individual differences In needs; crisis situ- ations and procedures.
Part 2 (13 t.h.)
Psychological development (7.5 t.h.) — introduction to theorists In the field of social and emotional development, e.g., Erikson, Maslow;
communication and language development — both verbal and non- verbal communication systems, second language learning and effects of bilingualism, a brief Introduction to language disorders In children; current Issues in psychological development such as separation, psychological parenting, effects of different child rear- ing practices, maternal deprivation; human relations skills, e•9•.
inter-personal relations, interview techniques; techniques involved in helping the child and adolescent towards maturity; the develop- ment of atypical behaviour and techniques relevant to child care for handling such problems (e.g., role of play, positive reinforce- ment).
Nutrition, health and safety (4.0 t.h.) — principles of nutrition, meal planning, food preparation, feeding, cultural differences; common childhood and adolescent diseases, allergies, the principles and procedures for caring for children with minor illnesses; recognition and management of common physical abnormalities; safety care;
first aid.
Use of community resources (1.5 t.h.) — the role of health services and various welfare agencies; role of child care worker as referring agent, emergency services.
Social and Community Studies Subjects
The purpose of studies in this strand is to develop an understanding of social, philosophical and legal issues concerning man, and particu- larly children, in Australian Society.
Part 1 (5 t.h.)
A sociological study of socialization experiences in childhood, including such issues as the child in the family, the peer group and the community, child-rearing in non-family situations, the criteria by which people are socially differentiated, the meaning of community and the quality of life in contrasting communities in Australian society.
Part 2 (6 t.h.)
Concepts such as freedom, justice and equality as they apply to society, family and individual; order in society and factors which affect order; investigation of groups In society who are discriminated against by the legal process; Investigation of groups formally 'protected' by the law; rights of parents, women, children, particularly as they relate to the care situation; court procedures; laws and regulations applying to the establishment and conduct of child care services.
Activities Subjects
The purpose of these subjects is to provide a background of know- ledge and skills for the conduct of stimulating and enjoyable programs for children and adolescents.
Part 1 (12 t.h.)
The role of play and leisure in development; activities flowing from exploration of the environment — Indoor and outdoor gardening, activities with animals, water based activitis, e.g., model boat building, water driven machines; food based activities, e.g., cooking; weather based activities, e.g., rain gauges; activities drawn from the areas of drama, movement, literature, music and the arts and crafts; sports and games appropriate to differing age levels and acquisition of skills involved in participating in these.
Part 2 (8 t.h.)
Extension of activities flowing from exploration of the environment
— machines and engines, e.g., bicycle repairing, simple car repairs;
extension of activities in weaving, pottery, painting, woodwork, photo- graphy, and other media. literature, drama, movement and music, with particular emphasis upon program planning and the Integration Into the program of activities drawn from different activity areas.
Administration Subjects
These subjects provide students with the background knowledge and skills necessary for the smooth management of a child care program
— Including day-care, 24 hour care and out-of-school care.
Part 1 (4 t.h.)
Roles and responsibilities of the adult In the care of children and adolescents; aspects of the care environment — adult/child ratios, grouping of children, quality of social interaction; routine procedures for different age levels, e.g., sleeping, tolleting and feeding for the young, leisure and homework organization for the adolescent; assessing and meeting needs of persons In care; organization of the physical environment design of buildings for best usage, factors affecting comfort and health, design of playgrounds, special facilities for children from birth to late adolescence; safety considerations, maintenance of facilities; audio-visual materials; innovations in design of physical environment in care situations in Australia and overseas.
Part 2 (4 t.h.)
General management In day-care, residential and out-of-school care programs — federal, state and local policies, regulations and licensing agencies, legal responsibilities of staff in care programs, insurances, records, report writing, relations with the community; staff management and staff roles — staff selection and organization, pre- and in-service programs, staff meetings, emergency staff procedures, use of volunteers;
finance and budgeting — sources of funds, budgeting for food and equipment, procedures for purchasing, petty cash and expenditure records, financial statements, sales tax and tax exemptions, wages determinations.
Practicum Subjects
Practicum experience is directed to the three main areas of care viz: day-care, twentyfour-hour care, and out-of-school care. Out-of- school care Incorporates after-school care and vacation care, which involves both holiday sessional care for the school age child and residential camps. Twentyfour-hour care Involves experience in both congregate and family group home care settings. In addition to day-care experience, students must work for periods in family day-care programs and in preschools. In Practicum 2, after mastering basic competencies and skills in each area, the student is expected to undertake a 6 week specialization in one of the three main areas of care. The particular experiences in Practicum 1 and 2 are:
Part 1
Vacation care 2 weeks
After-school care (1/4 day for 4 weeks) 1 week
Day-care 4 weeks
Preschools 1 week
24 hour care 3 weeks
11 weeks Part 2
Holiday (including Residential Camp) 3 weeks
Day-care 3 weeks
Family day-care 1 week
Preschools 1 week
24 hour care 3 weeks
Specialization 6 weeks
17 weeks
GENERAL STUDIES STRAND General Studies Subjects
The purpose of General Studies subjects Is to improve the general educational level of the student. Within the Associate Diploma the student must undertake a Part 1 General Studies subject drawn from the following:
Art 1, Australian Social History 1, Biological Sciences 1, Creative Drama 1, Dance 1, English 1, Media Studies 1, and Music 1.
Details of these subjects appear earlier in the Handbook under the Bachelor of Education Degree.