History and Philosophies of Early Childhood Education
UndergraduateLTU-EDU1HPC2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025,
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $578
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
History and Philosophies of Early Childhood Education
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of history and philosophies which have influenced past and current early childhood education and care practices, and critically engage with current research and theoretical perspectives to demonstrate awareness of multiple understandings of children and childhoods.
- Critique universal representations of child and childhood, and articulate understandings of concepts of the multiplicity of childhood and diversity of children's lived experiences, child agency and children as competent and capable learners and community members.
- Identify and critically reflect on the impact of a range of contemporary issues and social contexts on the lives of young children and the impact these have on their learning.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, teamwork, speaking skills and the use of appropriate writing conventions.
- What is Philosophy? Why Teach? What Informs Your Teaching? What Informs Your Beliefs and Values?
- Learning Environments, Historical, Political, Social Conditions that Generate Alternative Narratives in Early Childhood
- Ethics and Politics in Early Childhood. What Are Our Ethical and Political Accountabilities in Early Childhood Education?
- Policies, Practices, and Curriculum Frameworks
- How Can We Take a Complex Approach to Policies, Practices, and Curriculum Frameworks in Early Childhood?
- What is Required to Enact Alternative Assumptions, Beliefs, and Worldviews?
In this subject pre-service teachers will examine childhood in the contexts of a contemporary and changing world. Pre-service teachers engage with historical and contemporary philosophies of early childhood education and care. They will examine the impact of past and current policies and practices and will critically engage with current research and theoretical perspectives informing multiple understandings of children and childhoods. Through engagement with broad range of perspectives, pre-service teachers will be provided with the opportunity to challenge universal representations of child and childhood, to engage with concepts of the multiplicity of childhood and diversity of children's lived experiences, child agency and children as competent and capable learners and members of a community. A range of contemporary issues and social contexts impacting on children's learning are examined in relation to diversity and inclusivity, including social, cultural, and religious background, gender, indigeneity, ethnicity, rurality, learning styles and needs.
- Diagnostic assessment task (10%) (equivalent to 400 words) Completed within the first two weeks of term (10%)
- Issue analysis task (40%) (1600 words) (40%)
- Philosophy statement (50%) (2000 words) (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- LAT-ECE-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Others
Prerequisites: Students must be admitted in the following course: EBECEO.
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 Early Childhood Education
UndergraduateLAT-ECE-DEG