Education with Early Years MA

Leeds Beckett University

This module introduces some of the key approaches, challenges, and theoretical debates in education. Through exploratory discussions and independent research, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship and interaction between learners, educators, the curriculum, and the learning environment. The knowledge and skills you'll develop will facilitate an in-depth exploration of issues relevant to your personal and professional interests. This will enable you to relate in-class learning to wider professional and social contexts.

Drawing on key sociological and educational theory from the 20th and 21st centuries, this module explores the development of sociological thought in relation to the study of education, inequality, and injustice. You'll gain valuable theoretical insights to support your dissertation, enhance your understanding of professional practice, and prepare you for future academic or career development.

This module provides you with the tools to undertake methodological critiques and to interrogate research findings, with a key focus on the ethics of empirical research. Working within a community of practice, you’ll develop your own lines of enquiry rooted in a critical understanding of current literature and you’ll design and evaluate a research project which will form the basis of your dissertation proposal.

Undertake an extended project in a subject area of interest that relates directly to your professional practice. This module will deepen your independent thinking, broaden your subject knowledge, and strengthen your ability to analyse, apply, and contribute to existing theory. You'll build on the research skills and learning strategies developed in the Research Methods module, supported throughout by expert supervision. The guidance you'll receive will boost your confidence and prepare you to present and defend an academic review of your chosen topic with clarity and conviction.

Consider why play during early years is vital for learning. This module helps you to understand children's opportunities to explore, problem solve, and connect through meaningful playful engagements. By exploring how young children learn and play, both in schools and beyond, you'll develop an understanding of evolving ideas and research in this field.

Examine children's linguistic growth, language diversity, and multimodal communication, which involves using speech, gestures, facial expressions, and visual aids to convey meaning. You'll explore how children acquire language through interactions with caregivers, peers, and their environment, building on innate abilities and social experiences. Developing their voices is crucial for children as it empowers them to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas, fostering confidence, social skills, and overall language growth. This module emphasises the significance of high-quality practices and environments both at home and in early childhood education and care settings. You'll investigate the pivotal role early language and communication development plays in shaping all aspects of early literacy, equipping children with the essential skills to engage with reading and writing as they grow. Alongside this, you'll deepen your understanding of relevant theories and research while honing your skills in analysing and evaluating early childhood language and communication practices.