Show knowledge and understanding of the diverse ways and contexts in which young children learn, develop and communicate (KU2)

Assignments E109

1

TMA 01

Interesting ideas about children’s lives and learning

TMA 01 at a glance

Cut-off date: 4 November 2021

Word limit: 1000 words.

Weighting: 10%.

TMA 01 has two components:

1. Writing about two ideas that have interested you from Chapters 1–4 (500 words)

2. Writing about two ideas that have interested you from the video sequences you watched from the online activities for Chapters 1–4 (500 words).

Introduction

The learning outcomes below relate to TMA 01. They are the module learning outcomes, and you should think about them as you prepare, plan and write your assignment.

TMA 01 relates to learning outcomes that require you to:

* show knowledge and understanding of the diverse ways and contexts in which young children learn, develop and communicate (KU2)

* identify and reflect on a range of perspectives on practice and children`s experience (CS2)

* reflect on personal learning, values and practice in order to develop your own perspective on children’s lives, learning and development (PS1)

* write accurately and clearly in an appropriate style to express ideas, demonstrate learning and take account of purpose (KS1).

You may find that looking back at your answers to the following activities is useful for writing your assignment and developing your writing skills:

* Activity 3.4: Using paragraphs

* Activity 4.4: Writing a summary.

You will also find that looking back at any notes you made on the key points and discussion points is helpful for organising your thoughts and reminding you of what you learnt from Chapters 1–4. You may have chosen to record these notes in the online learning journal. Your tutor will support you in considering ideas on how to structure your assignment.

Assignment guidance

Part 1

Write two paragraphs (250 words each) describing two different ideas that have been of particular interest to you from studying Chapters 1–4 and why you found each idea interesting. (500 words in total)

In Chapters 1–4, you read about different influences on children and how children interact with their social and cultural environment. Choose two different ideas from these chapters that have interested you: this could be because they made you think about another point of view or about how children are supported in settings. For example, had you thought about children’s agency before? Or children’s early experiences of friendship? Or the learning that takes place within a family?

Each paragraph should cover one idea in the following way:

* start by describing what the idea is in your own words.

* then describe why you found it interesting.

* finish by saying what else you would like to find out about the subject area or how you might use the idea.

You can give each paragraph a subheading if you find that helps you to focus on the idea that you are writing about. You do not have to link the paragraphs together.

Part 2

Write two paragraphs (250 words each) describing two different ideas that have been of particular interest to you from the video sequences in the online activities from Chapters 1–4 and why you found each idea interesting. (500 words in total)

Alongside reading Chapters 1–4 in Block 1, you completed a number of online activities that included watching video sequences of settings in different parts of the UK and Italy. These featured different children in a range of learning situations:

* Activity 1.2: Are children ‘empty vessels’? (children in the playground engaging in the ‘Space station’ role play)

* Activity 2.3: Lauri and Grace at pre-school (Grace’s mum talking about the complexities of attachment)

* Activity 3.3: Ethan’s sense of belonging (comparing Ethan’s sense of belonging at his childminder’s and at playgroup)

* Activity 4.2: Viola and her family, learning together (an example of companionable learning)

* Activity 4.3: Learning in the family and beyond (parents and practitioners share their views of the value of attending ‘stay and play’ groups).

Choose two different ideas, from the video sequences and the activity you completed around them, which extended your thinking or made you question your own beliefs. If you are a practitioner, choose ideas that made you reflect on your approach to working with and supporting children. show knowledge and understanding of the diverse ways and contexts in which young children learn, develop and communicate (KU2). Use the ‘Reveal comment’ buttons below the video sequences you have chosen, as these summarise the ideas explored in the video – but try not to simply repeat what they say.

Each paragraph should cover one idea from the video activities in the following way:

* start by describing what the idea is in your own words.

* then describe why you found it interesting.

* finish by saying how the idea has extended your thinking or caused you to reflect on your own views.

Again, you can give each paragraph a subheading if you find that helps you to focus on the idea that you are writing about.

It may be that the video sequences you choose closely relate to the ideas you wrote about in Part 1. If this is the case, try not to repeat what you have already written about – either continue your discussion or choose different video sequences.

Additional guidance for Part 1 and Part 2

You do not have to include an introduction or conclusion to the overall piece of work.

You can attempt to include citations and a reference list with this TMA but this is not a requirement. However you must take care to write in your own words and not reproduce sentences or sections from the Module books or materials.

In Part 1 indicate the Chapter number where you read about each idea you choose to describe e.g. ‘I found the idea of children’s resilience in Chapter 3 particularly interesting’ or ‘An idea that I was really interested in was attachment (Chapter 2)’.

In Part 2 indicate which video sequence you are describing with the appropriate activity number e.g. ‘The video sequence in Activity 1.2 introduced me to the idea of…’ or ‘The idea of companionable learning introduced in Activity 4.2 was really interesting…’.