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Unit of study_

EDMT5686: Early Childhood Health and Wellness

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study explores the health and wellbeing of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in early childhood education settings. Legislative requirements, socio-cultural and poststructuralist theories, current research, and the positioning of early childhood teachers as autonomous and ethical professionals will be used to critically consider issues such as immunisation, the provision of 'safe' early learning environments, nutrition, child protection and infection control. Consideration will be given to ensuring children's health and wellbeing in ways that promote the rights, needs and best interests of young children and their families. Upholding duty of care in the context of 'risk society' and families' diverse values, beliefs and cultural practices will also be critically explored.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5686
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
EDMT5556
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wilma Murdoch, wilma.murdoch@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Wilma Murdoch, wilma.murdoch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task hurdle task Scenarios
Open book test - short scenarios requiring applied knowledge
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Nov 2022 at 10:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Journal reflections
n/a
30% Multiple weeks 4x 500 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Student presentation
Presentation and Infographic
30% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2022 at 09:00
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Journals x 4: Critically analyse weekly readings through the submission of four journal reflections (400-500 words each).
  • Presentation and Infographic:  Use a perspective on a health or wellbeing topic from this unit to critique a related contemporary Australian media piece , and produce an infographic relevant to parents in ECE. This will be presented to class in pairs and you will lead a discussion.
  • Open book online assessment – scenarios:  Analyse 6-8 short answer questions based on scenarios related to unit topics. Students are assessed on ability to apply theory and content covered in the unit to the scenarios, and their capacity to critically and thoughtfully provide early learning environments that support children’s health and wellbeing. All questions are compulsory. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit overview and introduction to health and wellness Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Observing practices aimed at supporting children's health and wellbeing Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 02 A regulatory approach to young children’s health and wellness: sun protection Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
A sociocultural approach to young children’s health and wellness: Indigenous children Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 03 A risk management approach to young children’s health and wellness: physical safety and outdoor play Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
A poststructualist approach to health and wellbeing routines in ECE settings Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Hygiene and infection control/illness and immunisation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Pregnancy and breastfeeding Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Nutrition Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Child protection Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Children's mental health Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Student presentations Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Professional Experience debrief - supporting children's health, safety and wellbeing in practice; Seminar (4 hr) LO4 LO6
exam revision Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a critical understanding of legal requirements, government policies and industry standards relevant to the health and wellbeing of young children in early childhood education settings
  • LO2. use current research and socio-cultural, risk society and poststructuralist theoretical perspectives to contribute to debates pertaining to children's health and wellbeing in informed ways
  • LO3. understand the interplay of personal, familial and societal influences on young children's health and wellbeing, and that what constitutes 'best practice' can be highly contested
  • LO4. articulate the importance of health, safety, nutrition and wellness in facilitating learning and development in infants, toddlers and young children
  • LO5. partner with families to promote the health and wellbeing of young children in ways that uphold their rights, needs and interests.
  • LO6. provide early learning environments that support children's health and wellbeing

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1. Psychology and child development such as:
1.4. Child health, well-being and safety
3. Education and curriculum studies, such as:
6. Early childhood professional practice, such as:
6.2. Management and administration
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4. Family and community contexts, such as:
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
6. Early childhood professional practice, such as:
6.5. Research
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1. Psychology and child development such as:
1.4. Child health, well-being and safety
4. Family and community contexts, such as:
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1. Psychology and child development such as:
1.4. Child health, well-being and safety
3. Education and curriculum studies, such as:
3.6. Social and environmental education
3.8. Physical and health education
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4. Family and community contexts, such as:
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.5. Research

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to presentation requirements based on 2019 & 2020 feedback

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.