Literacies for Young Children: Birth to 4-Year-Olds
UndergraduateCUR-EDEC20302026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 Mar 2026,
- 31 Aug 2026
- Price from
- $766
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Literacies for Young Children: Birth to 4-Year-Olds
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- research theoretical perspectives and approaches which underpin language and literacy learning in the years from birth to 4 years.
- analyse the relationship between home literacy practices and the practices of early childhood settings.
- evaluate the ways a range of texts, including oral, printed, visual and multimedia, support children to communicate their ideas and thinking.
- assess and interpret children’s learning and development in language and literacy events through observation of children.
- Literacy as a social practice: families, cultures and communities
- Sharing oral language with young children (birth - 4 years): communication, rhymes and songs
- Sound foundations for learning literacy: perspectives and approaches
- Mark making and beginning writing; representation of children’s ideas
- Observing, listening to and documenting children's literacy learning
This subject is built on a strong early childhood philosophy and pedagogical standpoint which holds an image of young children as social beings and competent communicators from birth. Students analyse theoretical perspectives and approaches which underpin the teaching and learning of languages and literacy in the years from birth to age 4. Students will understand the importance of establishing relationships between the literacy practices of the home and early childhood settings. The subject features a strong focus on linguistic and cultural diversity. Students consider how early childhood settings can value children’s individual, social, and cultural ways of knowing to facilitate harmonious transitions and continuity of learning. Students apply observation, interpretation and assessment to documentation of early communications. Students design a learning environment that enables children to access a wide range of materials and opportunities for communication.
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- Essay (50%)
- Case Study (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-ECE-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
Elective
- CUR-FAST-DEG-2026 - Fast track your Curtin on campus study
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
Equivalent subjects
You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.
CUR-EDE355-Early Childhood Literacies (no longer available)
Others
Students must be admitted in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) and have completed 150 credit points in the course before starting this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
UndergraduateCUR-ECE-DEG
Fast track your Curtin on campus study
UndergraduateCUR-FAST-DEG