Essential knowledge: The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role These include: Knowledge of a wide range of developmentally appropriate experiences for children in the area of expressive arts and sensory experiences Characteristics of high quality learning environments Knowledge of aesthetic, safe, interesting, challenging environments to encourage curiosity, experimentation, active learning, literacy and choice The value of creative processes and experiences as well as the end product Strategies to encourage children's creativity and literacy including: offering suggestions, use open ended questions, offering opportunities for imaginative play Dramatic play and its role in socialisation Imitative, dramatic and imaginative play Use of printed materials and audio visual aids Adult's role in creating inviting spaces Barriers to creativity Presentation of imitation play, dramatic play and imaginative play spaces for children Overview of an inclusive approach Use of evaluations for modifications and changes to extend play and stimulate involvement Awareness of the following national child health and well being core competencies as they apply to all who deliver care to children: core principles of child development and the key developmental tasks faced by young children and their implications for practice cumulative effects of multiple risk and protective factors and the developmental implications of the balance between them environmental conditions and the experiences known to have positive effects on prenatal and early childhood environmental conditions and experiences known to have adverse effects on prenatal and early childhood development factors that support or undermine the capacity of families to rear young children adequately features of a family's immediate social environment that are important for family functioning and young children's development and well being features and qualities of communities that help or hinder families in their capacity to raise young children adequately core needs that all children and families have in common, and how to provide inclusive child and family services understanding of particular backgrounds, experiences and needs of children and families in exceptional circumstances or with additional needs |