Program Overview

Unit of Study TCHR2010 Theory to Practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers (2025)

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• Faculty & College: Faculty of Education
• Placement: No
• Co-requisites: TCHR2011 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood II (mandatory co-requisite)
• Enrolment information: Students MUST enrol prior to Week 1. This unit provides intensive workshops which begin on day 1 of teaching and assessment aligned with the Early Childhood Placement.

Unit Description

Develops a critical understanding and application of the learning, education and development of infants and toddlers in the contexts of education and care. There is a focus on theory into pedagogical practices for children's strengths, abilities and interests highlighting the significance of relationships and attachment, care routines and planning cycles for the learning and development of infants and toddlers. Partnerships with families from a range of histories and backgrounds are a focus.

Unit Content

• Module 1: Understanding infant and toddler learning and development: The importance of the early years
• Module 2: Theoretical and practical perspectives of pedagogy for infant and toddlers
• Module 3: The planning cycle for the learning and development of infants and toddlers
• Module 4: The learning environment
• Module 5: Educator dispositions, attributes and capabilities for working with infants and toddlers
• Module 6: Routines, health and safety

Availabilities

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• understand and apply theoretical perspectives of infant and toddler learning and development including contexts of infant and toddler Early Childhood Education and Care
• critically reflect on the philosophies of learning and teaching for infants and toddlers in early childhood settings to develop your approach to working with infants and toddlers
• demonstrate the ability to engage in the planning cycle that includes to observe, document, develop, implement, evaluate and reflect upon an appropriate early childhood educational program for infants and toddlers to understand children's learning
• critically analyse the role of the environment, teacher attributes and capabilities, and regulations in enhancing quality education and care for infants and toddlers

Teaching and Assessment

Gold Coast (Term)

• Teaching method: Tutorial 6 hours (3 times)
• Assessment:
  • Report: 50%
  • Portfolio: 50%

Online (Term)

• Teaching method: Tutorial 12 hours (Across one week), Workshop 6 hours (Across one week)
• Assessment:
  • Report: 50%
  • Portfolio: 50%

Prescribed Learning Resources

Term 5

• Prescribed Texts: Sims, M., & Hutchins, T. (2020). Program planning for infants and toddlers (3rd ed.). Pademelon Press, Jamberoo, NSW.
• Prescribed Resources/Equipment: No prescribed resources/equipment.

Courses that Offer this Unit

• Bachelor of Education (2026): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
• Bachelor of Education (2025): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (2026): Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (2025): Gold Coast, Online