Course Title: Art in Early Childhood

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Art in Early Childhood

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2371

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2018

Course Coordinator: Anne Houghton

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7915

Course Coordinator Email: anne.houghton@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.04.09


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Visual art is an important expressive language of early childhood that allows children to explore ideas, feelings, relationships and experiences that are relevant to their growth as well as meet aesthetic and sociocultural needs. Recognising how children weave their interest in art to construct learning can motivate lifelong interest in the arts. You will develop strategies that foster creativity, imagination and positive dispositions for children’s explorations in art. You will be introduced to different strategies that empower children with materials and activities that are appropriate for them to develop independent expressions and problem solving skills. You will gain theoretical insights into the visual arts in early childhood and develop practical skills for providing children with opportunities for creative self-expression.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Capabilities: You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:

  • Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to your professional practice and development in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
  • Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse educational contexts.
  • Apply initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making to enhance your practice and continuing professional development


Course Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to, and you will be assessed on:

  • discuss theoretical positions underpinning children’s artistic self-expression
  • use a variety of art materials
  • design and prepare innovative art programs in educational settings that involve both individual and collaborative learning experiences. 
  • document children’s art explorations and collaboratively communicate them with children, families and community

 

 

 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face-to-face and online such as lectures, art studio-based practical workshops, class discussions, group work, individual research, written work and presentations; also, engagement with video and Internet resources and visits to galleries and related organisations. The overall purpose of learning activities is to help develop confidence in promoting art as an expressive language in early childhood program. Activities will enhance your skills in fostering young children’s work.
 

Learning activities in this course will involve:

  • Exploring the use of a wide ranges of art materials in studio-based art workshops
  • Explaining beliefs about arts education 
  • Critiquing theories underpinning arts-based learning in early childhood education
  • Reflecting on arts-based methodologies for young children’s learning 
  • Preparing and implementing arts programs in educational settings


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.   The statement of student responsibilities www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/student-responsibilities summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.   Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described online at: www.rmit.edu.au/staff/our-rmit/policies/academic-research