GCSE Child Development
Distance Learning Course

Specification
AQA GCSE (4582)

Course Overview
This course covers all the topics listed below and a great course if you are considering a career in child care.

Course Content
Parenthood
The family

Learning Outcomes:
To acquire an appreciation and understanding of the changing nature of the family in today’s society and the strengths and potential difficulties of different family types.

Ability to appreciate the impact on a child’s development where there is change to the family structure or environment.

To acquire an understanding of the range of sources of stress and its impact on parenting capacity and the resultant impact on a child’s development.

To understand the realities of planning for a family and the competing pressures on families in today’s society.

An understanding of the essential equipment and clothing needed for a baby and the safety, financial and environmental issues which need to be considered.

The ability to undertake a ‘risk assessment’ within the home, assess potential dangers and hazards and how to minimise risk. 

Acquire the necessary skills to undertake basic first aid and treatment of minor injuries.

Pregnancy
To gain knowledge of the female reproductive system and the role and importance of the baby’s support systems.

To appreciate the causes of infertility and how some link to choices in contraception and healthy lifestyle

To be knowledgeable about the different forms of contraception and to gain an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the known benefits to mother and child.

To gain an appreciation of how genetically inherited diseases can be managed and the range of support available.

Understand the possible signs and symptoms of pregnancy and miscarriage and other common problems in pregnancy.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular health checks and the role of various health professionals during pregnancy

Awareness of the importance of the birth plan and to acquire the ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of home and hospital delivery.

To acquire the knowledge of both the signs and stages of labour and an appreciation of the role of the birth partner during labour.

Gain an understanding of the wide range of pain relief options and the importance of considering and preparing for these prior to the birth.

Acquire an understanding of the medical assistance available during labour to safeguard the health of mother and baby.

To gain an understanding of the health checks required following the birth of the baby and the specialist equipment and support available.

Appreciate and understand the possible causes for babies crying and the range of solutions available.

The practical steps that can be taken to prevent SIDS and an appreciation of the role of technology.

Knowledge of postnatal care and the important role of the health visitor.

Understand the impact of a new baby on the family and the potential sources of stress and changes in lifestyle. 

Appreciate the impact for a mother following the birth of her baby and the potential for postnatal depression.

Diet, health and care of the child
Gain an understanding of the nutritional needs for under-5s and ability to critically analyse food content from labelling and other forms of advertising.

Understand the nutritional and emotional benefits of breast feeding and balancing these with the advantages and disadvantages of bottle feeding for both parents and baby.

Knowledge of sterilisation techniques and the methods of food preparation and an understanding of the nutritional content of home made v commercially produced baby foods in order to develop healthy eating habits

Understand the ‘behaviours’ behind food refusal in young children.

To develop a greater understanding of the role of parents in understanding the nutritional needs of under- 5s and the links to health related illnesses.

Knowledge of food allergies and food intolerance

Appreciate the importance of hygiene and appropriate clothing.

Gain an understanding and appreciation of the impact of family and environmental factors on the well being of children and what they need to safeguard and protect their welfare.

Knowledge of the symptoms of childhood diseases and the support services available and the importance of immunisation programmes.

Development of the Child
Understand the concept of a child’s developmental milestones and factors which can have a positive or detrimental impact on their development.

Understand the factors that influence a child’s development and what children need to safeguard and promote their welfare.

Knowledge and understanding of both gross and fine motor skills

Intellectual Development
Acquire an understanding of how a child’s development is influenced by genes and how much by upbringing – nature v nurture and the stimulation and emotional support needed to promote a child’s welfare.

Understand a child’s cognitive development and the activities needed to encourage intellectual development and the stages of concept development.

Knowledge of a child’s verbal and non verbal communication skills and how to develop these skills.

Social and Emotional Development
Understand the factors that influence a child’s social and emotional development both within the family and from external stimuli

Knowledge of a child’s emotional development and how to promote resilience and self esteem

Understand the importance of play in a child’s social development and factors that influence behaviours including a child’s sense of right and wrong.

Understand the importance of fairness and consistency in a child’s development and acquiring the skills to respond to unwanted behaviours.

Learning and Play
Acquire an understanding of the links between play and learning in order to support a child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Gain a knowledge of the different types of play and the learning and play materials available based on the child’s intellectual capacity including the effective use of technology. 

Support for the parent and child
Knowledge of the types of child care support available and an understanding of the factors that influence choice.

Acquire an understanding of the potential benefits and disadvantages of in-home care v nursery group care for both parents and children.

Educational and developmental provision
Understand the importance and relevance of the Early Years Stage Curriculum and the six areas of learning and their links to a child’s development.

Appreciate the value of partnership working.
Knowledge of Sure Start and Book Start programmes

Gained an appreciation of the role of health visitors in undertaking developmental testing.

Acquire an understanding of the effects on the family of children with a special need and the support provided by social services in the provision of services for children in need and their families.

Knowledge of the statutory legal requirements for the education of under-5s and how these are monitored. 

Study Time
To complete this course it will take in the region of 100 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student.

Pre-requisites
No previous study is required to access any of our GCSE courses, but they do require basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Support and Benefits
Full tutor support is available via email by fully qualified professionals.

Exam Dates and Information
Exams are in June of each year and the latest dates for enrolment is December.

If you start your course after December then it is unlikely you can take your exam in June unless your tutor agrees and you can find a centre, they will require late registration fees.

Further Reading and Book List

AQA Child Development for GCSE

by Heather Brennand, Valerie Hall

     Publisher: Hodder Murray; 3 edition (26 Jun 2009)

     ISBN-10: 0340975075

     ISBN-13: 978-0340975077

Qualifications
Learning at Home offers a range of GCSEs and all the course materials map to the very latest criteria laid down by the awarding bodies.

When you have taken your exams you will be awarded a grade which ranges from A – G with G being the lowest.

You will need to take GCSEs to progress onto A Levels and employers look for Maths and English as a minimum requirement for most jobs.

Taking Exams
Learning at Home in conjunction with the Awarding bosy will give whatever help we can with examination information and finding an exam centre, but entering examinations is entirely the responsibility of the student, and the contract for sitting examinations is between the student and the exam centre. We are not an exam centre so you must read all the information in your course pack carefully and be prepared to travel to a centre which is willing to accept external candidates.

Funding
Learning at Home does not have access to any funding so if you require a subsidised course please contact your Learn Direct Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A. yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if further changes are made.

Q. Why do I have to find a centre myself?
A. We have students all over the UK and Europe and it is impossible for us to arrange dates and times for individual students.

Q. What if I cannot find an examination centre?
A. If you wish to gain the qualification then be prepared to travel it is worth it!

Q. How much are exam fees?
A. These vary from centre to centre so you should check with them directly as we do not have access to the information.

Q. Are the courses paper based or on-line?
A. All our courses are paper based and come in attractive sturdy folders.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. Tutors are all working Teachers or Lecturers so contact is by email only.

Q. Why can I not take my exams at when I have completed the course and have to wait?
A. Exams are taken at the same times as schools and colleges and are not flexible.

Q. I want to take my exams but there are only a few months to study, is this possible?
A. Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes impossible to complete your studies in a short space of time as your work has to be marked and checked. More importantly the examination boards have cut off times which are not flexible. See our web site for further information.