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• Undergraduate study:
• Courses
• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion

Children And Young People's Development, Relationships And Social Contexts

• Module code: SW4007
• Year: 2018/9
• Level: 4
• Credits: 30
• Pre-requisites: None
• Co-requisites: None

Summary

The module provides you with an understanding of human growth and development by reviewing theoretical perspectives and research regarding infant, child, adolescent and young people's development across the life course. This module will provide you with an understanding of the concepts of relationships within families, and issues of progression at different stages of life, identity and the life worlds. The module draws on theory and practice from a variety of perspectives including the main schools of thought in psychology and sociology, and explores current issues facing children and young people in today's society.

Aims

• To enable students to gain an understanding of key theories and concepts concerning children and young people's development across the life course drawing on research outcomes and knowledge from a range of disciplines, whilst also recognising the importance of diversity and difference
• To enhance students' appreciation of challenges to development such as adverse life events, and to explore personal attitudes, feelings and assumptions about children and young people in context.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Identify key theories for understanding children and young people's life course development
• Appreciate how children and young people's development is an interaction between heredity, environment and social determinants
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of children and young people's development and challenge assumptions and stereotypes about children and young people
• Present arguments which show some awareness of the issues facing Children and Young People and how these affect them.

Curriculum content

• A general overview of key approaches to understanding human psychological development.
• Sociology of the life course, families and intimate relationships including developments in the structure and dynamics of the family over time.
• Development of children; how children mature and develop; physical developmental milestones; cognitive development and developmental psychology; recent debates in neuroscience concerning brain development; language acquisition; moral development; psycho-social theories of personality development, attachment and separation in the context of cultural diversity.
• Adolescent development: physical, cognitive, moral, sexual; identity development (including race/ethnicity); becoming independent.
• Challenges to development: adversity, neglect and abuse; understanding the potential impact of social divisions and inequalities in children's and young people's lives; age-based discrimination; disablism and poverty
• Theories of socialisation and the impact of variables of difference such as ethnicity, culture, race, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status including critical reflections regarding cross-cultural and social constructions of human development
• The implications of impairment and disability on childhood and adolescence and a critical perspective on normative models of development.
• Transitions to adulthood; physical, psychosocial and cognitive changes; identity development; lifestyles; social networks and relationships; partnerships, becoming a parent and parenting; mid-life issues / crises'.
• Supporting the building of healthy relationships for children and young people.
• Youth work in the community and current issues facing children and young people in today's society.

Teaching and learning strategy

This module is provided through lectures, small group discussions and debates, workshop activities and exercises. Case studies and exercises are used to sharpen students' thinking, and the emphasis throughout is on helping students to identify how theoretical ideas from psychology and sociology have informed understandings of children and young people, their development, relationships and the life world. Contemporary research will be woven into the teaching and discussions to illustrate the practice developments which can result from a theoretical understanding of research concepts and issues.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Assessment strategy

For summative assessment the students will complete two assignments, in which they will be required to demonstrate an understanding of developmental theory and the relationships and social contexts in which individual development takes place.

1. The first will be a short essay focusing on child development. (750 words).
2. The second assignment will be a small group presentation, in a medium of students' choice, based on a case study where students are asked to link theory to the case, plus an individual written statement addressing one of the issues in the case study (500 words).

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Elements of Assessment

Achieving a pass

It is not a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Green, L. (2010) Understanding the Life Course. Bristol: Polity Press

Trodd, L., (2012) Transitions in the Early Years: Working with Children and Families. London: Sage

Bibliography recommended reading

Sapin, K. (2013) Essential Skills for Youth Work Practice 2^nd edn. Sage: London

Ellis J. and Thiara, R. K. eds (2014) Preventing violence against women and girls Policy Press: Bristol

Aveyard, H., Sharp, P., Wooliams, M. (2011) A Beginner's Guide to Critical Thinking in Health and Social Care. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Ingleby, E. (2010) Applied Psychology for Social Work 2^nd edn. Sage: London.

Giddens, A. and Sutton, P. (2013) Sociology 7^th edn. Cambridge: Polity Press