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Qualification - Child Development Certificate

Course CodeVRE002
Fee CodeCT
Duration (approx)600 hours
QualificationCertificate

STUDY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW CHILDREN THINK AND WHY THEY BEHAVE THE WAY THEY DO

  • This certificate is focused for parents and carers and people wanting to or already are working with children as well as anyone wanting to develop skills for a career in childcare.
  • This certificate is comprised of SIX 100 hour modules. Study three compulsory modules of Child Psychology, Child Nutrition and Play Leadership. Then choose three modules from a list of electives.

Duration: 600 hours

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the Qualification - Child Development Certificate.
 Child Psychology BPS104
 Play Leadership VRE101
 Child & Baby Nutrition BRE304
 
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 0 of the following 6 modules.
 Childrens Writing BWR104
 Introduction To Psychology BPS101
 Child and Adolescent Mental Health BPS214
 Developmental Psychology BPS210
 Developmental, Learning and Behavioural Conditions in Adolescents and Children BPS215
 Playground Design BHT216
 

Note that each module in the Qualification - Child Development Certificate is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

Sample Notes from the Play Leadership Module

While free play is a very important part of the childhood experience, it is not always possible or desirable that children are just left to play when, where and how they wish. Sometimes, their situation does not encourage or support free play. Sometimes, lack of social skills, shyness, cultural differences or other factors can limit the child’s ability to initiate play or to interact in a relaxed and enjoyable manner with other children. Often, working parents rely on supervised programs to provide safe and enjoyable care after school hours or during holidays. 

Play programs can take a variety of forms. Some can be loosely program, providing resources and opportunities for free play in a supervised and contained situation. Others can involve structured play activities. Structure is not necessarily an impediment to play, but it must be carefully planned and managed to avoid losing the vital ‘play’ aspects of intrinsic motivation, optimal arousal and control.

Aside from the benefits of structure and predictability offered by play programs, there are other important benefits, some of which are listed below.

  • A degree of structure can introduce children to play options that they might not otherwise have considered.
  • A program can provide a range of stimuli and experiences for the child.
  • A program can increase children’s opportunities for socialising with others of the same or other age groups.
  • A program can make it easier for children to participate in group activities.
  • A program can provide support for those children who need it, when they need it.
  • A well-designed program can improve inclusiveness by providing a range of activities that meet different children’s needs.
  • A program can provide an adult presence that can be very reassuring to young children, and agreeable to older children (who have been shown to seek out responsive adults for conversation).
  • And very important, a program, if properly managed, can decrease the likelihood of anti-social, bullying or excluding behaviours (such as not allowing another child to join in or to even watch).
 
 
 
Want to find out more about child development?
Do you want to improve your job and career prospects?
Do you want to study while you work or care for children?
Then this distance learning Child Care Certificate could be the one for you.
Enrol now and start learning more about children and how they think!


Meet some of our academics

Tracey JonesWidely published author, Psychologist, Manager and Lecturer. Over 10 years working with ACS and 25 years of industry experience. Qualifications include: B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), Dip. SW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies).
Gavin ColePsychologist, Educator, Author, Psychotherapist. B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA Gavin is both a highly experienced Psychologist and tutor. Gavin has over 25 years experience in the Psychology industry, and has been working with ACS since 2001. He has worked in both Australia and England, and has been involved in writing numerous books and courses in Psychology and Counselling


Check out our eBooks

How Children ThinkLearn more about child psychology and how children think. Have you ever tried to make a child clean up their mess, stop throwing mud or stop drawing on the walls? Then you will know that children think differently to adults. This book is for parents or students of psychology. Seven chapters cover: developmental stages, the influence of nature and nurture, creating balance, changing behaviours, problems and solutions, and staying up to date. 73 pages 40 colour photos
Psychological ProfilingPsychological profiling is used to assess anyone from potential new staff and school children to serial killers. It helps you to determine someone’s personality, neuroses, mental health and career suitability. This book provides an excellent overview of psychological profiling techniques and pitfalls.
Psychology DictionaryWritten by professional psychologists, this “dictionary of psychology” contains descriptions for common terms used in Psychology. There are many terms used in the area of Psychology alone, that are explained throughout this text. Other terms have been taken from everyday language and used in a different context to describe psychological phenomena. 66 pages
The Environment of PlayFirst published in the USA in 1982, this text has been used in the past as a university text (in landscaping and education degrees), and was completely revised in 2012. Full of inspiring colour images of playgrounds around the world, this book is ideal for designers, park managers, schools and parents! Play is the most important and effective method of learning for adults as well as children. It can be active or passive, planned or spontaneous. If you want to learn about the relationship between PLAY and the ENVIRONMENT, this is the ebook for you. Learn to understand children and design play spaces that function for homes, parks or school grounds. 187 pages