This module aims to engage students in a critical examination of children’s rights and the child’s voice. The student will develop insight into the development of children’s rights within a socio-cultural perspective, applying participatory practice. Students will develop the ability to analyse policy development, formulation, implementation and the provision of services and the policy discourses that prevail and dominate in the Irish context. The student will explore the role of advocacy in representation of children’s view, opinions and decisions
Children's rights and the child's voice
Examine models of Participation such as Lundy (2007) and Hart (1992). Consultation, collaboration and child-led participatory approaches. Children’s involvement in decision making as rights holders
Participatory Practice
Co-constructing knowledge, Enabling the child’s voice, Democratic engagement, Empowering children, Barriers to participatory approaches in early childhood, Participation versus protection
Advocacy
Explore the different models of advocacy with particular reference to children and the promotion of self-advocacy. Evaluate how advocacy promotes increased self-confidence and facilitates the voice of the child. Outline the skills needed to effectively advocate on behalf of a child and their family
Children's Rights: National and International Policy
Un Convention on the Rights of the Child – the international and national context - National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making (2015) - Debate the implication of human rights for children in Ireland, with particular reference to the UNCRC - Towards a rights based policy approach in policy making - Global approaches to children’s rights: past and present - Critique of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Assess how social, political and economic factors contribute to policy development and provision of early childhood care and education in Ireland
This module involves face to face lectures and tutorials. The module with be participatory in focus and will requires self-directed research and engagement with the debates around children's rights and advocacy. The students will collectively and individually reflect and debate the module contents and specifically consider how these impact on practice in the early years sector.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |