Year
2019
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 3-hour seminar weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into BEDECBA-Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts
1a Admission into BEDMSSBA-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Arts
1b Admission into BEDMSSBHS-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Health Sciences
1c Admission into BEDMSSBSC-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Science
1d Admission into MTPR-Master of Teaching (Primary)
1e Admission into MTS-Master of Teaching (Secondary)
1f Admission into BEDECSEBDS-B Education (Early Childhood & Special Ed), B Disability Studies
1g Admission into BEDPRSEBDS-B Education (Primary R-7 & Special Ed), B Disability Studies
1h Admission into BEDMSSEBDS-B Education (Middle & Secondary/Special Ed), B Disability Studies
1i Admission into BEDSBA-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts
1j Admission into BEDSBHS-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Health Sciences
1k Admission into BEDSBSC-Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Science
1l Admission into BEDPRBGSC-Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of General Science
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j or 1k or 1l))
Enrolment not permitted
EDUC3605 has been successfully completed
Topic description
The focus of this topic is children's and adolescents' peer group relations at school and intervention programs that can be used by the classroom teacher or school counsellor to understand peer group behaviour and enhance social and emotional development. The topic explores the significance of peer relations to personal development and academic achievement. Emphasis is given to identifying and evaluating practical programs available to reduce peer group problems and promote pro-social behaviour eg social skills programs.
Educational aims
This topic aims to:

  • provide a basic understanding of friendships and peer relationships amongst children/adolescents
  • provide opportunities for students to examine their projected image and group participation
  • provide practical experience of group work procedures for working with children
  • explore ways in which adults can enhance social skill development
  • provide opportunities to critically examine social skills programs
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic students will be able to:

  • use a topic vocabulary appropriately to describe aspects of peer relations, and program management
  • identify and present research which increases our understanding of students' peer relations
  • critically evaluate a peer relations intervention programme
  • enunciate the importance of peer relations for children's development in the classroom context