| Unit Code/Description | EC501 Early Childhood Learning and Development |
| Course/Subject | Graduate Diploma in Education (early childhood) |
| Semester | S 1, 2025 |
| Assessment Overview | |
| Unit Learning Outcomes Addressed | 1, 2, 3 |
| Assessment Objective | In this assessment, student are required to select one of the case studies provided and critically analyze the child’s interactions and relationships with others. |
| Assessment Title/Type | Assessment 2: Case Study |
| Due Date | Week 6, 25th May 2025, Sunday, 23:59 pm |
| Weighting | 30 marks |
| Instructions to Students | Assessment 2: Case Study Select one of the case studies provided and critically analyse the child’s interaction and relationship with others to evaluate the child’s social and emotional development and identify next steps. Justify your analyses with reference to relevant literature. Reflect on and explain, with reference to relevant unit literature, the role of the adult in facilitating the most immediate next steps for the child in ways that foster the child’s wellbeing. 1500 words. Instructions: Select one case study from the list provided below. Analyse the child’s interactions and relationships with peers, educators, or caregivers. Evaluate the child’s social and emotional development using relevant developmental theories and frameworks (e.g., Bronfenbrenner, Bowlby, Erikson). Identify the child’s next developmental steps and provide a rationale based on your analysis. Reflect on the adult’s role in supporting the child’s wellbeing and immediate next steps. Use academic references throughout, including unit readings and scholarly articles to support your points. What to Include in Your Case Study Analysis Section What to Cover Introduction Brief overview of the case, the purpose of your analysis, and key focus areas (social/emotional development, role of adult). Analysis of Interactions Examine how the child interacts with others (peers, adults). Consider communication, behaviour, attachment, etc. Evaluation of Development Use developmental theories to interpret the child’s social and emotional development. Next Steps Suggest developmentally appropriate next steps based on your evaluation. Justify these using theory/literature. Role of the Adult Explain how educators or caregivers can support the child’s next steps and wellbeing. Use literature to support this. Conclusion Summarise key points, including your evaluation and recommendations. References Use APA 7th referencing style. Include a reference list with at least 5-7 academic sources (minimum). Tips for Success Use specific examples from the case study to support your analysis. Link behaviours to relevant developmental milestones or delays. Think critically: consider different interpretations of the behaviour or context. Reflect on how context (family, culture, environment) influences development. Maintain confidentiality and respectful language when discussing the child. Case Studies to Choose From Case Study 1: Mia (3.5 years old) Mia has recently transitioned from a homecare setting to a long day care centre. She is a quiet and observant child who often chooses to play alone. During group activities, she tends to stay on the periphery and rarely speaks. On several occasions, educators have observed Mia crying when another child takes a toy she is using. She does not respond verbally or physically but withdraws and moves to a different area. Educators are concerned that Mia is struggling to connect with her peers and may be feeling overwhelmed in the group setting. Case Study 2: Jacob (4 years old) Jacob is energetic and highly expressive. He enjoys group play but frequently becomes frustrated when things do not go his way. He has been observed pushing or yelling at peers during disagreements. During a recent incident, Jacob threw blocks across the room after another child built a tower where he had been playing. While Jacob can articulate his feelings (“I’m mad!”), he struggles with self-regulation and calming down. Educators have tried using calming strategies, but Jacob often resists adult intervention in the moment. Case Study 3: Aaliyah (5 years old) Aaliyah is confident and articulate with adults and is highly attached to one particular educator, often seeking her out throughout the day. She participates enthusiastically in one-on-one or small group activities but avoids larger group settings. Aaliyah has a few friends she plays with regularly, but she excludes others, sometimes telling them they can’t join her group. When asked about it, Aaliyah says, “I only play with my best friends.” Educators are concerned about the formation of exclusive social circles and the impact on her empathy and inclusion skills. |
| Format/Structure | Word document |
| Word/Page limit | 1500 words |
| Referencing Style | APA 7th Edition |
| Submission Guidelines | No formal CIHE cover sheet is required. Instead, your name, student ID and group number must appear at the beginning of your report. This assessment must be submitted to Turnitin. Login to your Turnitin account, locate and click on the assignment submission link, carefully review the instructions, and then submit your assessment. |
| Plagiarism and Academic Integrity This section MUST remain as it is (Do not make any changes) | |
| At CIHE, we take academic integrity seriously and expect all students to maintain the highest standards of honesty and ethical behaviour in their academic work. As a student, it is your responsibility to ensure that all your academic endeavors are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the principles of honesty, fairness, and respect for intellectual property. Please refer to “CIHE Student Academic Integrity and Honesty Policy” in the Moodle for details. | |
| Late Submission Policy | Requests for extensions will be granted only for exceptional circumstances that are supported by credible evidence. The duration of the extension period is only one week (23:59 pm, Sunday, 1st June 2025). Late submissions are subject to a 10% reduction in marks for each day of delay. Submissions after the extended date will not be marked. |
