TAMIL STUDIES WITH EARLY EDUCATION

Level 1.1

Child Development 1

This module introduces students to research on brain developments and its implications on children’s growth and learning. Early Years developmental milestones will be discussed with significant emphasis on birth to three years of age. Students will develop an understanding of the philosophy of infant and toddler care and development, and the Early Years Development Framework (EYDF). Theories of child development, with emphasis on Attachment theory, characteristic behaviours, and their implications on play and care-giving practices for families and in the infant care context will be covered. Students will also learn appropriate behaviour guidance and interaction strategies for this age group of children that are informed by observations and documentations.

Motor Skills Development

This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to help young children develop perceptual, fine motor and fundamental movement skills consisting of locomotor, non-locomotor and object control skills in a safe environment. Students will learn to observe, plan, implement and facilitate fun, meaningful and age appropriate indoor and outdoor play activities and fundamental movement experiences using an integrated approach to learning.

Introduction to Tamil Language

This module introduces the development of the Tamil language, setting the foundation for future learning. Students will learn about the origin, history of Tamil language (etymology, Old Tamil, Middle Tamil & Modern Tamil), geographical distribution, spoken and literary variants, writing system, phonology, grammar and vocabulary. They will also learn about the influence Tamil had on other languages.

Introduction to Tamil Culture & Society

This module introduces the Tamil heritage and culture, and in particular, the practices that influences the Tamilians’ way of life in Tamil Nadu, other parts of India and outside of India. Students will also learn about the changes and development of Tamil culture and language over time. Students will be given opportunities to explore ways to promote and preserve the Tamil culture and heritage, in the Singapore context, in the 21st century.

Communication in Tamil 1

The module develops the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Tamil. Students will also learn the technicalities of Tamil language like Tamil word classification and formation of words, grammar, syntax, phonology and semantic, enabling them be an effective user of the Tamil language.

Academic Writing & Presentation

This module focuses on critical thinking, academic writing as well as presentation and listening skills. The module aims to equip students with the skills for academic writing and presentation. Finding and evaluating academic sources, reading, note-taking, essay planning and writing, and presentation skills will be developed in this module.

Career & Professional Preparation 1

This module helps to give students a foundational introduction to their three-year diploma course curriculum and how it prepares them for industry. It will help them to embark on their three-year course with the end in mind, through guided reflection of their personal characteristics, and producing an overall game plan for their future education and career goals. The module aims to deepen students’ commitment to the sector that the course prepares them for.

Health & Wellness​

This module aims to help students improve their physical fitness by participating in a physical activity of their choice. This will also give students opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership.

Level 1.2

Child Development 2

This module introduces the major theories in child development and their implications on practices in child-rearing and early care and education. The joint contributions of biology and environment to the various aspects of child development will be explored. Students will deepen their understanding of the holistic development of children through observation, recording and analysis of children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth and development. This understanding will help the student link theory to practice and guide the planning of learning experiences and techniques for behaviour guidance. The six learning domains of the Nurturing Early Learners Framework will also be discussed.

Principles and Practices in Early Education

This module provides students with an overview of the historical development of early childhood care and education (ECCE), pedagogical principles and contemporary perspectives. Students will also gain an understanding of the different models of practices internationally including the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) and how they relate to Singapore. ECCE development in the Singapore landscape, policies (of MSF, MOE and ECDA), curriculum frameworks like the Early Years Development Framework and the Nurturing Early Learners: A Curriculum Framework for Kindergartens in Singapore (NEL Framework), as well as SPARK certification that guide provisions of quality care and education and key stage outcomes will also be included. Play that is central to trends and research in ECCE will be explored in the context of how developmentally, culturally and individually appropriate it is as a mode for learning in young children from infancy to the preschool years.

Tamil Literature

The module introduces the Tamil literature from the Sangam period to the Modern era. Students will explore the relationship between Tamil history and its literature. Students will examine the different Tamil epics (e.g. Thirukkural and Aathichudi), local Tamil novels and short stories. Students will be introduced to the elements of Tamil literature, enabling them to reflect and analyze the different literature materials.

Tamil History

The module gives an introduction to the Tamil history. Students will learn about the following various historical periods: Pre-historic period, Sangam period, Pallava and Pandaya period, Chola period and post-independence period. This would give students a sound understanding of the history of Tamil, probing them to reflect critically on the Tamil culture and practices.

Communication in Tamil 2

The module introduces students to basic translation skills from English to Tamil and vice versa. Students will build on their core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Tamil through the use of technology. These skills will allow students to become effective users of the language in both digital and non-digital platforms.

IT Applications

This module develops the e-competencies by equipping students with the essential computing concepts and necessary skills to use computer applications for information research, organisation, collaboration and presentation.

Professional Communication 1

This module prepares students to communicate effectively in business settings. Students will learn both oral and written communication skills that demonstrate concepts of business communication principles, interpersonal skills and intercultural skills. Topics such as proposal and report writing, elevator pitch and professional presentation will be covered.

Course Curriculum (Year 1)

Level 2.1

Child Safety, Health & Socio-emotional Well-Being

This module introduces policies and practices for establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for educators and children in the early childhood settings as they relate to the socio-emotional wellbeing of children. Students will understand the importance of nutritional adequacy and balanced meals for children’s optimal growth. They will learn to identify early childhood illnesses and symptoms and engage in hygienic practices and being able to observe for signs of child abuse and addressing them professionally. Clinical practice will be included for students to learn how to manage the day-to-day care routines and transitions for children from infancy to the preschool years.

Social Emotional Learning

This module equips students with the theoretical knowledge and pedagogical skills to nurture social-emotional competencies and positive values necessary for character formation in young children. It also addresses the role of teachers, in modelling good character traits, in helping children develop self-awareness and self-management skills for their emotional well-being as well as social competence to build strong interpersonal relationships. Students will also take reference from the six learning dispositions (PRAISE) and use children’s picture books to promote positive values, pro-social behaviour, understanding of self and others and integrate social emotional learning across the curriculum.

Early Numeracy

This module examines the theoretical framework which underpins young children’s learning of mathematics. Students will be introduced to the principles, knowledge and skills required to plan, implement and evaluate learning experiences that lay the foundations for children to become problem solvers and abstract thinkers. Students will learn to choose developmentally appropriate materials and resources, set up mathematically-rich environment, use teaching techniques to nurture children’s mathematical thinking and assess their learning. The use of technology and integration of numeracy in the other learning domains will also be emphasised.

Discovery of the World

This module provides an overview of how young children make sense of the world they live in and how they acquire knowledge and concepts. The scope of Science, environment awareness, technology in everyday life and learning, the Social Sciences, and culture and heritage, for children’s inquiry will also be covered. Students will learn to use the Constructivist approach to teaching, engage in field exploration and setting up discovery corners. Teaching techniques that support inquiry and independent learning in children will be covered. In addition, developmentally and culturally appropriate learning goals and experiences for children from birth to six years of age will be addressed.

The Tamil Diaspora

This module explores the spread of Tamilians from their original homelands in India during the European, post-colonial and current periods to other regions. Students will learn about the historical, geographical, economic and social factors related to the causes, conditions and outcomes of the migration from India. Migrants and their descendants. Students will focus on the social organization and cultural dynamics of the Tamil diasporic community in Singapore and worldwide.

Introduction to Tamil Film & Performing Arts

This module introduces students to both classical and contemporary films and performing arts forms. Students will understand how Tamil film and performing arts have evolved over time and will be encouraged to critically reflect how these platforms can be used to promote the Tamil identity and support the learning and acquisition of Tamil language.

Level 2.2

Language & Literacy

This module introduces students to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of language and literacy development from birth to six years of age including trends and issues within a multicultural and multilingual society. Students will learn to design, organise and evaluate literacy-rich environment that helps facilitate language and literacy development; identify suitable prints and other media for reading activities to develop in young children an appreciation for a variety of children’s literature. Students will also plan experiences for diverse learners, facilitate learning using appropriate techniques, assess children’s progress and work with families to enhance children’s language and literacy development.

The Professional & Reflective Practitioner

This module explores the various roles of an early childhood educator in working with children, families, other professionals and agencies in the community. A range of professional issues will be examined, including stages of professional development, practitioner competencies, continuing education, advocacy and personal growth plans which are aligned with the current early childhood landscape in Singapore. Students will learn communication and reflective skills and how to manage ethical issues in relation to working with children, colleagues and families taking reference from the Code of Ethics, Singapore by AECES. Students will also be equipped to understand self and reflect on personal preferences and style; interpersonal skills and to enhance personal effectiveness through self-mentoring.

Aesthetics & Creative Expression

This module introduces students to an array of visual and performing arts and exposures for the appreciation of the creative art forms. In addition, students will be introduced to progressive theories on Arts education to build firm foundations on the key roles the Arts play within early years settings. Theories related to aesthetic and creativity will also be introduced. Students will learn multiple approaches to engage young children in creative-arts expressions that are aesthetically rich and imaginative. Through both theory and experiential sessions, students will encounter the Arts first-hand and will design Arts experiences that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful and informed by practice.

Introduction to Tamil Children’s Literature

The module equips students with the skills and knowledge to appreciate and analyze Tamil children’s literature of different genres such as poems, fairy tales, and fables. Students will explore literature from Tamil Nadu, Singapore and Malaysia. Students will also to learn how to write stories, poems and fairy tales for children in Tamil.

Tamil Arts & the Contemporary Society

The module provides students an insight into the evolution of Tamil arts over time to find a place in our contemporary society. Students will be engaging in themes like interculturalism, globalization, migration, mass media, multilingualism and accelerated technological change to understand the Tamil arts scene in Singapore. Students will also be encouraged to observe the changing arts scene in Tamil Nadu and Malaysia.

Professional Communication 2

This module prepares students to write effective cover letters and resumes. Preparation and enhancement of portfolio to meet professional standard as well as development of presentation skills, and improvement of job-seeking techniques will also be covered in the module.

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective

This module develops a student’s ability to think critically on world issues. Students will discuss a wide range of social, political and cultural issues from the Singapore perspective. It also looks at how city-state Singapore defied the odds and witnessed close to half a century of rapid economic growth, strong political ties and social harmony.

Course Curriculum (Year 2)

Level 3.1

Working with the Exceptional Child

This module introduces students to various exceptional needs in young children including physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and sensory characteristics that make them different. Trends and issues in relation to inclusive practices and policies will be covered. Students will learn about their roles in an inclusive learning environment, design of individualised learning plans and communication with families. Students will also explore community resources and professionals that provide support for children with additional needs.

Family & Community Partnership

This module equips students with the knowledge of family structure and dynamics in Singapore. Skills in communicating with families, with the understanding of interdependence between early years’ educational setting and families, will be addressed. Models of family involvement will be explored with a focus on interacting respectfully with diverse family groups and tapping on community resources for the education children.

Teaching Tamil Literacy to Diverse Learners

The module prepares students for the detailed attention that has to be given to learning the Tamil Language from a young age. It will provide the stepping stone to apply effective instructional methods that are also developmentally appropriate for the teaching of reading, writing and speaking Tamil. Differentiated strategies will be introduced for acquiring vocabulary, comprehension and writing. Students will learn to plan and deliver creatively and use multiple forms of assessment of children based on the diverse needs of the learners they are working with.

Folklore & the Arts

This module gives students an in-depth perspective of folklore and the traditional arts (e.g. karakattam, nadaswaram and mayillatam) in Tamil Nadu. Students will be introduced to the various folklore and study the development of these art forms in Tamil Nadu. Students will also study the relationship between these folklore and the arts with heritage and cultural practices of Tamilians. Students will also be introduced to the contemporary cultural phenomenon of folklore and the arts in Southeast Asia.

Communication in Tamil 3

This module introduces students to the techniques of writing short stories, poems, prose and songs for children. They would have opportunities to pen and create their own literature material suitable for the Singapore society. This module will allow students develop the mastery of their Tamil language skills, enabling students to use it effectively to capture and promote the Tamil culture, heritage and language in Singapore.

Professional Communication 3

The module will equip participants with personal grooming skills required in a professional setting. Students will be taught grooming and social etiquette as well as appropriate dressing. Other topics include making small talk and handling difficult conversations.

Level 3.2

Student Internship Programme (3 months)

The Internship Programme with professional practitioners acting as mentors enable students to acquire the work experience needed for their chosen areas of interest. The organisations involved are selected for their capacity to allow students to learn different aspects of work in the early childhood industry. The students’ learning outcomes are assessed by their respective internship mentors and NIEC supervisors. Students could also work closely with staff in the early childhood centres on projects that will benefit children, families and the community.

Effective Learning Environment for Young Children

This module equips students with the principles to design conducive learning environments to support play and learning for children from birth to six-years of age, noting that the conditions in the environment also affect their behavior. Students will also learn to set up appropriate learning areas to enhance the physical, cognitive and social and emotional development of children. The selection of print and non-print materials, use of technology and the role of the educator will also be covered.

Curriculum Planning & Implementation

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills for planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from birth to three and from three plus to six years of age. Students will take reference from the Early Years Development Framework and the MOE’s refreshed Kindergarten Curriculum Framework to explore the scope and process of integrating learning areas and learning dispositions. Philosophies and beliefs, theoretical underpinnings of how children learn and develop that are fundamental to the meaning of curriculum will be discussed. The supporting environment, the types of learning activities, the role of the educator and different facilitation techniques will also be thoughtfully considered.

Course Curriculum (Year 3)