Understanding Childhood & Youth - Entry

Children don’t exist in isolation, they are part of a complicated societal, familial, and legal system that shapes their lived experiences.  This module introduces key theory and debates about Childhood to help develop your ways of working with Children and Young People.  

Who is this course for?

This short course is for people who work with children and young people and want to support their development, mental health, and wellbeing.

Why study this course?

This course is designed to provide you with:

1. A critically informed understanding of social, cultural, and political perspectives of childhood and youth.
2. The ability to describe and evaluate theories of development and transition in children and young people.
3. A critical understanding of theories of mental health and wellbeing in children and Young people in an applied context.
4. The ability to create mental health support resources which are grounded in theory and empirical evidence.

How long does this course take to complete?

This short course runs over 6 weeks, usually during the first semester of the academic year.

Information about assessments:

Assessments on this short course will include:  

• Group Oral Exam (20 minutes)
• Creation of a Psychoeducational Resource for children and/or young people (2000 words)

Tutors

Dr. Nia Young is the Director of Professional Learning and Community Engagement at the School of Education, and she lectures in Childhood and Youth Studies as well as in Counselling Children and Young People. Her research centers on minority language use and its impact on children's self-esteem. As a dedicated advocate for children’s rights, Dr. Young has promoted youth voice in decision-making processes through her role with the Wales Observatory on the Human Rights of the Child and by founding Bangor’s Youth Summits. These summits gather children and young people from across Wales to meet with politicians and researchers, encouraging discussions on the changes young people want to see to secure their futures. Dr. Young also collaborated with Wrexham University to deliver the Children’s University in North Wales, expanding children and young people's access to extracurricular activities to inspire greater opportunities and aspirations. A strong proponent of children's wellbeing and participation rights, she is deeply engaged in exploring how societal perceptions of childhood shape children’s experiences and opportunities.

What will you study on this course?

The module will introduce you to the key paradigms that have influenced the multidisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies, whilst also enaging with National and International Research and policy relating to children and Young people in the 21st century.  You will have an opportunity to critically reflect on your own practice, beliefs, and understandings of the status of children and Young people in Society.  You will gain a deeper understanding of child development and mental health.  You will then explore key contemporary issues that impact on the development and health of children and Young people.  You will also consider the social, cultural, and political perspectives of childhood and youth, with a specific cofus on the notion of children as agents and rights holders.  Most importantly, you will be encouraged to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions about children and childhood.

List of units 

Topics covered on this module may include:

1. Meanings of childhood and youth across history and cultures
2. Impact of sociological constructs of childhood on policy and legislation, including children’s participation rights in practice
3. Child development and transitions
4. Mental health and wellbeing in children and young people
5. Psychopharmacology during formative development
6. Play, relaxation, and self-help through childhood and youth

Please see our Postgraduate Fees and Finance page for further information.

This short course is aimed at those who work with children and young people in any setting. It is a post-graduate level module and so applicants would usually be expected to have completed an undergraduate degree. We will also consider applicants who have at least 3 years of relevant work experience and have evidence of recent study or professional development (to demonstrate an ability to study at level 7).

Please contact the course lead to discuss further.  

How to Apply

Please make sure you read and follow the step-by-step application guide as this will specify which sections of the application form are compulsory for the type of course you want to apply for and save you time.

Please prepare the following information (in a Word document):

• Current employment details;
• Years of experience, and employment history (where relevant)
• Name of staff member and organisation that have approved your funding for this module.

This will speed up the process of completing the application form.