MASTER OF SCIENCE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL PRACTICE (MSECDSP)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
ECSP512	Neuro-Developmental Patterns and Foundational Learning	A study of neurodevelopment in infancy and the risk factors that may impair or delay development in the early and later years. The module examines infant development trajectories and how responsive social policies may change poor developmental trajectories towards positive development. The module has implications for learning and development in the early years for children who join both formal and informal programmes and those that are retained in family contexts.
ECSP513	Comparative and Cross-Cultural Parenting Knowledge Systems	The module takes a historical and comparative study to parenting styles in socio-cultural contexts and their impact on children’s developmental trajectories. An examination of how cultures assign premium values to specific developmental values and competencies is examined. The implications for social policy in developing child and family rights and protection and design of programmes for young children that integrate parenting knowledge systems are also examined
ECSP514	Social Policies for Children and Families in Diverse Cultural Contexts	The module examines past, present and projected social policies against 21^st century and diverse cultural environments and expected child development outcomes. Cross comparisons will be made between local, continental and international social policies leading to conventions and programming.
ECSP515	Child Rights and Family Law	The module examines the relationships between child rights conventions and the rights and obligations of parents as defined in global human rights law and how these laws affect children and families in normal and difficult circumstances such as in involuntary dislocations, war, and refugee or poverty contexts.
ECSP521	Internship	The internship intends to give students both theoretical and practical experience towards supporting the students’ continuous learning process and contributing to the realization of the University of Zimbabwe Strategic Plan, in line with the government’s Education 5.0 philosophy. The internship puts students into direct interaction with practice at own workplace and other institution through an innovative development project (change project) which is need-driven. Students must actively and independently seek a placement with the host institution and experience working independently and collaboratively with a team of professionals and/or parents. The Department of Early Childhood and Junior Education ensures that the internship setting meets the requirements of the module, particularly the availability of a mentor to provide technical and emotional support to the student.