Early Childhood Studies focuses on the holistic development - both developmental and social - of infants and young children from conception to the age of eight. It draws upon research and professional practice from many areas: from health and education, psycholohy & sociology, to economics and neuroscience, which is what makes it so diverse, exciting and an interesting degree to study!

The Early Childhood Studies degree at Canterbury Christ Church University has been designed to meet the QAA Subject Specific Benchmarks (2022). QAA (2022) state that 'Early Childhood Studies graduates progress to a wide range of professional roles, contribute to policy and research, and advocate for babies and young children, their families and the early childhood professions. They facilitate the right of children to actively participate in their world, recognising each child and all children's uniqueness. Their knowledge enables them to advocate for young children’s needs, voice, rights, development and learning, while celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion.' This will be you in the future and your journey starts now!

To prepare you for starting with us, have a think about how you would respond to the following questions:

• What has led you to Early Childhood Studies, and what are you bringing to this next phase of your life/career in terms of prior experiences, values, strengths, learning needs, hopes and concerns?
• How would you describe a 21st Century Child in the UK?
• Consider - what do children do, how do they act, where do they go, and who do they socialise with?

and please access the resources below:

• The Early Childhood Studies course at CCCU has a blog called Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development. It is qan excellent general resource for your journey to understanding children and childhoods, and you should spend some time exploring it.
• Have a look at the National Children’s Bureau blog. The National Children's Bureau is a charity that works to improve the lives of young children. It is a good resource for exploring the challenges that young children can experience.
• The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is a good resource for exploring social issues relating to young children and their childhoods.
• Unicef’s Early Childhood Development explores the lives of young children from a global perspective.

Your welcome and induction will be w/c 16th September 2024- we look forward to meeting you then.

All of the chapters in these books will be useful during your studies. If you want to make a start on reading, choose the chapters that most appeal to you:

• Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2016) Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University. London: Sage.
• Bolshaw, P. & Josephidou, J. (2019) Introducing Research in Early Childhood. London: Sage.
• Garvey, D (2018) Nurturing Personal Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Hopkins, B, Geangu, E., & Linkenauger, S. (2017) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• McDowell-Clark, R. (2020) Childhood in Scociety in the Early Years, London: Sage
• Powell, S. and Smith, K. (2017) An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies. London: Sage.
• Smith, K. & Vincent, K. (2022) Supporting Early Literacies through Play. London: Sage.

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.