Head of Department: Mrs Paine

What is Child Development?

The Child development Course is relatively new to Sandhurst School.  We started to teach this in September 2008 with 22 year 10’s.  The department is building up resources and expertise and will be eagerly anticipating the first set of GCSE results this summer.  The course combines aspects of biology, sociology, psychology, nutrition and social education.  It is an excellent first course for anyone wanting to work in midwifery, nursing, education and child care but it is also of excellent value to all students who one day, may be parents themselves!  (I wish a course like this had been available when I was doing my GCSE’s!)  During the course we have visits from midwives and mothers with young babies.  Next year we also hope to build in visits to a nursery as observing children at play and learning has become a more important part of the course this year.  However, it is important to realise that this is not a practical subject or an NVQ.  You will not be spending lessons changing nappies and playing with children!!  It is a GCSE and methods of study will be like those of other GCSE subjects.  However, in Year 11 you must produce a child study project.  This is done in homework time and you must arrange to observe a child of your choice for up to 6 hours.  You must design activities to see how developed they are and then write up your observations.  

What’s in the course?

There are 3 sections of almost equal importance.

Child Development Controlled Assessment tasks.  These are mostly done in school and involve studying a practical aspect of the course.  You must do at least 3.  Together they form 30% of the total GCSE marks. Examples of tasks are:

• Investigating child safety or travel equipment
• Comparing commercially made baby food with home made food.
• Investigating the main features of a healthy diet during pregnancy.
• Producing a magazine article comparing breast and bottle Planning and making a suitable lunch for two pre-schoolers
• Designing and making a book, toy or game for a child which will assist in their intellectual development.

Principles of Child Development Examination
This makes up 40% of the total of GCSE marks. The course content is divided into 6 sections. 

1. Family and parenting: Family structures, roles, responsibilities and values of the family, changing patterns in parenting and family life, local authority care. Pre-conceptual health and care:  Factors which affect the decision to have children and the roles and responsibilities of parenthood, methods of contraception.
2. Preparation for pregnancy and birth: Reproductive systems, fertilization, development of the embryo and foetus, the problems of infertility, pregnancy, the diet of the mother, choices for health and well-being,  health professionals, ante-natal provision,  specialised screening tests, ante-natal/parenting classes/role of the father/partner, delivery options, labour, post-natal care.  
3. Physical development:  The characteristics and needs of a newborn baby, pre-term (premature) babies, Development norms, fine and gross motor skills,  conditions for development „ clothing and footwear,  the need for warmth, rest, sleep, exercise, fresh air, cleanliness, routine, safety,  childhood accidents, road and car safety. 
4. Nutrition and health:  breast and bottle feeding, weaning, healthy attitudes to food and eating
   Patterns, function and sources of the major nutrients, diet-related illnesses, food preparation, childhood ailments and diseases, immunization, hospitalization, needs of a sick child.
5. Intellectual, social and emotional development: Conditions for development, patterns of learning, communication, language, number skills, reading and writing, social skills, behaviour, discipline, learning through play.   
6. Community support:  day-care provision, pre-school provision, services available for
   children and families, special needs. 

Child Study / Coursework Project.  This forms 30% of the total GCSE marks.  This is a large piece of coursework which takes place over 6 months.  It is started in the autumn term of year 11.  Students visit, observe and plan activities with a child to investigate how children develop in relation to one of the following themes:

1. Physical Development
2. Fine Manipulative Skills
3. Creative Play
4. Social Skills
5. Intellectual Development
6. Language Skills

The student will need to have access to a child who is between 0 and 5 years old by the end of April of year 11. Students must organize the visits themselves although planning the activities and how to observe children will be covered in school.