HOME ECONOMICS – CHILD DEVELOPMENT (GCSE)

Why Study Child Development?

Child Development provides an understanding of the social and economic responsibilities of the family and the community, in the provision of food, shelter and clothing to the child.

Course Content

The structure and functions of the family in a multi-cultural society.

Personal relationships and responsibilities of partnerships.

Statutory and voluntary provisions for the support of families.

The main stages of development from birth to five years.

Material preparation for the child and the study of sound nutritional practices throughout the child’s development.

Health education and accident prevention.

Patterns of development and the environmental effects on the development of the child, including the role of the parents, the family and pre-school education.

Scheme of Assessment

The examination will consist of:

i               Theory paper (40%).  This is a 1 ½ hour paper.  All questions will be compulsory.

               The paper will contain short answer, structured and free response questions.

ii              Child Focused task (30%).  This will be set by the Board and will be carried out under controlled conditions.  Candidates will be expected to complete:

a.            a design, development and research folio,

b.            realisation of the task

Candidates will be issued with the beginning of the final year so that they may prepare for their design, development and research folio.  Candidates may collect suitable design sources and materials – teachers may give guidance for this work.  Candidates will be given 15 hours, under examination conditions, closely supervised by the class teacher.

The folio should show evidence of research and design to support the practical realisation of the task.  Candidates may draw on work accomplished during the course.  It is recommended that this work be limited to 8 sheets of A3 paper or its equivalent.  This work must be completed by the Friday in May prior to the commencement of the written papers. 

iii             Coursework (30%).  This will take the form of a task set by the WJEC.  It will be based on observations of a child (under 5 years of age when the course starts) over a period of time.  It is an integral part of the course engaging candidates in active learning experiences.  The time allocated for the writing up of this coursework is 15 hours and will be undertaken in year 10.

Progression

Social Services

Nursing

Nursery Assistant

Registered Child Minder

Nanny

Certificate in Child Care and Education

Diploma in Child Care and Education

BTEC First Certificate/Diploma in Early Years