EDUC41430

This module will critically consider child development as embedded and emerging within multi-faceted contexts, including family, school, and community. It will explore a range of developmental needs, including needs arising from social, emotional, and/or mental health difficulties, which underpin behaviours of concern, as well as sensory and/or physical needs. This module also critically considers models and approaches to working with students to promote their inclusion and resilience.

Students will critically explore child development within a systemic bio-psychosocial / bio-ecological perspective, in order to understand behaviour as communication and the need to balance risk and protective factors, so as to promote resilience. They will explore a range of personal, social, and environmental factors which can positively and/or negatively affect development and participation. This module will enable students to identify and evaluate school-based approaches and programmes (prevention, promotion, and intervention), and consider their use critically within a whole-school approach. Students will also develop skills to building relationships and responding to behaviors of concern, such as solution-focused responding, relational practice, and restorative practice.

Drawing on specialist teachers and allied health professionals, such as Occupational Therapy (OT), this module will also examine a range of physical and sensory needs, and identify and evaluate intervention programmes. It will also explore communicative and Assistive Technologies (AT) as effective educational resources for students with severe communication and/or physical difficulties.