1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of stages of development and progression in children’s early mathematical and early literacy acquisition and their application to practice

2. Critically evaluate early years teaching and learning strategies and evaluate their use in supporting children’s learning in literacy and numeracy

The development of a resource that is based upon your observations of children in the setting that has identified their needs and interests. (LO1)

You will then complete an evaluation of the literacy OR numeracy learning activity which has been developed and led with learners. This will identify, in relation to curriculum and theory, how the activity has been approached, taught and assessed to show progression. (LO2)

Formative assessment opportunities include;

Peer feedback on resource/activity

Tutorials for draft feedback.

Group discussion around practice

This module will provide the opportunity to build upon your existing knowledge and understanding of literacy and numeracy in the Early Years. This module will provide knowledge and skills which are essential to being an effective practitioner within early year’s education. Drawing on underpinning theory of observation, assessment and child development, the module will also cover curricula and strategies used within early childcare settings and schools, providing you with a rich and varied range of learning and teaching activities in relation to literacy and numeracy which you will be able to use within your role. The sessions will be progressive and work towards using your developing knowledge, skills and expertise to create a relevant numeracy or literacy activity that will form the assessment task for this module.

Unless otherwise stated, all books are available online through Staffordshire University library website when logged in using your university username and password. If you have difficulty accessing these, please contact the University library. There is also an online reading list for each module on this course. To access this, go to http://staffs.rebuslist.com/ and then type in the module code in the search box. Do not worry if this list seems excessively long. You may wish to focus on texts which are most relevant to your education sector. This module covers a wide range of texts and you may find that you only need to read short sections of the texts listed (or from other texts that you may find in libraries or journals). Your tutor will also advise you on the relevant texts and sections of texts to read. Remember that it is important to show you have considered views from a wide range of sources. When referring to texts in your assignment, always use https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/refzone for guidance. There are many versions of Harvard referencing systems in use around the world, but for Staffordshire University, Refzone Harvard system is the only correct method to use.
Study skills:

For guidance on academic writing, remember that the Staffordshire University library holds a wealth of resources to support study skills at https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills. The study skills team can also provide 1 to 1 support.

VLE Resources¿¿¿

Your University VLE will enable you to have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists.¿ Your VLE offers opportunities to engage in group work and independent learning¿by the use of¿such things as synchronous/asynchronous discussion boards, video links, blogs and wikis.¿¿¿

How do we support young children effectively in literacy and numeracy?

This module will include an introduction to early mathematical and early literacy acquisition with links to theoretical perspectives. This will cover curricula and strategies used within early childcare settings and schools. Strategies and approaches to literacy and numeracy will also be explained and applied. A series of innovative teaching sessions will take place across both literacy and numeracy, these will include planning active numeracy with young children, planning active literacy with young children, play based literacy and numeracy, developing and planning the learning environment to enhance literacy and numeracy and promoting literacy and numeracy in outdoor learning.

The teaching, learning and assessment strategy has been carefully developed for this module. It recognises you may bring¿practical experience and knowledge of specific contexts to share with others. This pool of practical experience will be used to promote discussion and debate, which will build upon existing knowledge to encourage reflection and critical thought. You will be an active participant in your learning and engage with online learning, some¿face to face¿content, group activities and individual tasks set.¿ You will be encouraged to be a critical thinker and apply your learning in an academic and professional context.¿ Some sessions require prior reading and independent research to inform the sessions.¿



A digitally enabled approach will be used to support both virtual and face to face opportunities.¿¿

University workshops will draw upon your experience and help you to interpret that experience in the light of current thinking on teaching, learning, assessment and schooling in relation to literacy and numeracy. You will also be asked to use the ideas explored in the sessions in planning your future work. You will also be asked to collaborate with others in preparing and presenting your work.¿¿

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The methods are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. The following strategies will be adopted to ensure that you have a supportive teaching and learning environment, providing a range of learning opportunities¿¿

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Work Related Learning – You will be required to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and work-place policies in your taught sessions. Work-based activities either as class based simulated tasks or in the workplace help students to establish connections between the workplace and issues raised by the programme.¿

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Lectures - You will be given lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key educational concepts. These may take the form of face-to-face, digital or virtual sessions¿

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Tutorials – You will be given the opportunity to discuss work-related and academic concerns in small group tutorials and/or individual tutorials. This will support the development of theoretical understanding.¿

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Guided reading and supported self-study – You will be provided with booklists and reading tasks in order to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate debates.¿

This module will also provide opportunities for you to:¿

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Work¿with others¿

develop interpersonal skills¿

demonstrate the capacity to plan, share goals, and work as a member of a team¿

communicate and present oral and written arguments¿

Goouch, K and Lambirth, A (2017) Teaching early Reading and Phonics. Creative Approaches to Early Literacy. London: Sage


Hallett, E (2016) Early Years Practice for Educators and Teachers. London: Sage


Haylock, D. and Cockburn, W. (2017) Understanding Mathematics for Young Children 5th Ed. London: Sage

Levine,L.E and Munich,J (2020) 2nd, Ed. Child development from Infancy to Adolescence. An Active Learning Approach. London:Sage

Palaiologou,I (Ed)(2021) 4th ed. The Early Years Foundation Stage. Theory and Practice. London: Sage