Short Course

Supporting Children’s Development: Special Needs

Develop practical knowledge of children’s development and learning, while building confidence in supporting children’s needs through engaging, step-by-step learning activities.

Online / Self-paced Start Date - Anytime

 

 

15 hours Duration
Level 1 Introductory
English Language
Open University Provider

 

 

 

Programme overview

Supporting children’s development is an introductory course for anyone who is interested in children’s development, especially support staff in schools, such as teaching assistants. It builds on your knowledge and skills to develop a deeper understanding of children from the early years to school leavers. You will be introduced to some core ideas surrounding development and learning, behaviour, special needs and disabilities.

Throughout the course, you will explore how children develop at different stages and the factors that can influence their learning, wellbeing, and behaviour. The course also highlights the importance of creating supportive and inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of all children. By the end of the course, you will have developed a broader understanding of how to support children effectively within educational settings and everyday interactions.

Curriculum

  • The importance of the early years           
  • Important relationships
  • Some child development theories
  • Attachment theory
  • Developmental theory
  • Parents as partners
  • Children’s transitions
  • From home to school
  • From primary to secondary school
  • The transition to secondary school

  • Babies and the early years
  • Moving from the early years to primary
  • New ways to encourage reading
  • How did you learn to read?
  • Boys, girls and reading
  • The gender gap: fact or fiction
  • Literacy and reading in secondary school

  • Children’s behaviour
  • Why might children behave in certain ways?
  • Goals of misbehaviour
  • Managing a class or a group
  • Behaviour management in the classroom
  • Managing behaviour through reward charts
  • SMART targets
  • Minimising negative behaviour
  • Maintaining classroom discipline
  • Involving children in behaviour management
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Recognising behavioural issues
  • What do we mean by mental health?
  • What triggers mental ill-health?
  • Symptoms potentially indicating mental health issues
  • Listening to children
  • Optional readings and resources

  • What does SEND mean?
  • Defining terms
  • Special educational needs (SEN)
  • The SEN Information Report
  • Inclusive practices
  • Victimisation and bullying
  • Dealing with difficult relationships
  • Bullying
  • Cyberbullying
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Supporting a child with SEND
  • Social stories
  • Supporting children’s social and emotional development
  • Being an advocate
  • Effective support – how can you help?
  • Support services and other professionals
  • Optional readings and resources

  • Panel discussion
  • Course summary
  • The importance of reflection
  • Identifying skills
  • Personal development plan

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • Have gained an insight into the varying perspectives of children from early years through to secondary school
  • Be able to reflect on personal experience and practice, identify strengths and weaknesses, and apply this to your practice issues
  • Understand how some theories attempt to explain children's development
  • Be able to reflect on the value of the work of teaching assistants, the support skills involved, and think about your future role.

Key features

Flexible Online Learning

Study at your own pace with online course materials that can be accessed anytime, making learning easy to fit around work and personal commitments.

Interactive Learning Activities

Access quizzes, activities, and course exercises designed to support understanding and help reinforce key concepts throughout the course.

Free online course

No Additional Costs

There are no mandatory additional costs to complete the course, although access to Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet software is recommended.

Free Statement of Participation

Learners who successfully complete the course can receive a free digital Statement of Participation as recognition of their learning

Explore more courses