Child Development GCSE

Course description:

This course encourages students to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding about the birth and development of children from conception to the age of 5 years. Students will follow a structured course looking at all aspects of the family, pregnancy, birth, new baby, care of mother and baby, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, medical needs and health services.

Four main study areas are the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of the child. Students will be given clear guidance throughout the course from the staff teaching the subject, but we wish to stress that background reading and research into the aspects covered in lessons will give students greater knowledge and understanding of children. The coursework is a Research and Investigation study of “Play” to be done as individual study in the students’ own time. A detailed record of each visit to the child needs to be kept which is presented as a portfolio for assessment.

It is essential that any student wishing to take this course has access to a child aged 6 months to 5 years to observe and visit regularly for 6 months.

Students will have the opportunity to take home the department’s virtual baby, to experience child care for a whole weekend! This is optional, but offers an excellent learning opportunity.

Course structure:

There will be 5 lessons a fortnight. Occasionally an ICT room will be used to aid students in writing questionnaires and surveys and to record effectively results using the computer. Visiting speakers, videos and young children are all used to make the studying both relevant and interesting to the students. Coursework will be done in part during lessons in the spring and summer term of Year 10 and autumn term in Year 11.

Homework:

One hour of homework will be set weekly in the form of research, worksheets, small projects and written investigations. Use of a computer will be an advantage in producing homework. During Year 10 and term 1 of year 11, the coursework will be the students’ homework. This in-depth child study, where students study a child aged 6 months to 5 years in their own time requires a total of 7 visits to the child’s home, of at least 1 hour each.

Assessment:

The written examination is 50% of the final mark and students will be entered for the Higher (A* to D) or Foundation paper (C to G) depending on their attainments during the 2 year course. The coursework is worth 50%, so is a very important part of the course where students are expected, with help and guidance, to produce the Child Study with related research.

Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:

Students are requested to provide 2 x A4 ring binders for Years 10 and 11. Students are also requested to obtain a Boots Parenting Magazine, Mothercare, Early Learning and any other relevant publications/booklets to help with information and illustrations. A coursework folder will be required for coursework at a small charge. Students are strongly recommended to purchase a G.C.S.E. Revision Guide at the beginning of Year 10 (cost £4.00).

Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:

This Key Stage 4 option can lead to courses at Key Stage 5 including Health and Social Care, Pre nursing and other child-care qualifications.

Career opportunities supported by this subject:

This is an ideal course for any student wishing to have a career in nursing, care services or child-related care.

See also: Child Care and Education (Levels 1 and 2)