DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS

Brief History of the Department

The Department of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka first started as the Harden College of Education in January 1961 with 41 students for a two-year Diploma in Education Programme and in the 1961/62 session, the Department enrolled 40 students for the Bachelor Degree (B.A and B.Sc) programme in education.

In the 1981/82 academic session, the Department of Education was restructured into one Department and two sub-departments, namely Department of Educational Foundations, Sub-Department of Arts Education, and Sub-Department of Science Education and the Department of Educational Foundations started a foundation programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) Degrees in Guidance and Counselling and Principles and Methods. As at 2015, only the Guidance and Counselling option is subsisting in the department as the B. Ed Degree in Principles and Methods was phased out with the upgrading of minimum teachers qualification in Nigeria to the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and the Teacher Training Colleges were phased out.. The B.Ed degree programme in Early Childhood Education fills the yearning global gap for training of professionals for this level of education.

Philosophy
The Philosophy underlining the Undergraduate Programme of Early Childhood Education derives from Nigeria’s Philosophy of Education which is based on the provision of equal access to education opportunities for all citizens and the core values of the University of Nigeria, which focus on the production of globally competitive graduates to engender the restoration of the dignity of man and in particular, young children at the early childhood education level of the education system.

Objectives

The Objectives of the programme are to:

  • produce educators who can implement the national objectives of early childhood level of education;
  • train professionals who understand the basic characteristics of young children of early childhood education age;
  • train professionals with relevant pedagogy for teaching at the early childhood education level;
  • Produce professionals competent enough for the administration of early childhood education and
  • Produce professionals who can participate in and cope with innovations in the early childhood education system.

 

Scope

The scope of the programme covers three categories of Early Childhood Education namely the Crèche, Nursery and Kindergarten. The programme will cover the five major areas of Early Childhood Education which include Origin and Development of Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Management Issues, Teaching in Early Education, Play and Learning, Organisation and Administration of Early Childhood Education and Field Experiences.

General Entry Requirements

Admission is done through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE).

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

Candidates who have satisfied the University general entry requirements for admission and who have passed any five teaching subjects including English Language and Mathematics at credit level in not more than two sittings in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) or General Certificate in Education (GCE) or National Examination Commission (NECO) examination or their equivalents are qualified to be admitted into the four-year degree programme.

Direct Entry (DE)

In addition to the University general entry requirements, candidates with at least a Merit pass in the Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) and diplomas in Education Music, Religion, Adult Education and Health or Physical Education are qualified to be admitted into the three-year degree programme.

Job Opportunities

The graduates are qualified to teach in or establish early childhood education institutions and they can also teach in Colleges of Education and Universities when they obtain higher degree in the area. They can equally serve as desk officers in the Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Boards and Education Authorities, UNICEF, NGOS and International Organizations with special interest in children, their rights and development.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES                                                                                     UNITS

EDU 101 Introduction to Education                                                                              2

An introductory analysis of the role of education in society, and of the role of theory in education, consideration of competing theories, with special reference to the characteristics of Nigerian society and their relevance to education; philosophic bases of education.

EDU 103        History of Education                                                                                   2

Education in the Western World; education in relation to social dynamics and statics. History of education in Nigeria; the role of the voluntary agencies and the government; the development and place of European Philosophy and Method.                                        

EDF 111       Origin and Development of Early Childhood Education                  2

Origin of Early Childhood Education in selected countries. The detailed review of the historical origin of formal Western education in Nigeria. Preschool provision in selected countries. Development of Early childhood Education.

EDF  115        Preschool Education in Traditional African Societies                    2

The nature and concept of African family. Child naming practices: problems and prospect for later education. Characteristics and practices of traditional education with particular reference to acquisition of attitudes, skills and the development of character. A comparison of traditional education with formal education.

 

EDF 123         Early Childhood Education Curriculum  1                                          2

This involves theory, research evidence, standards, teaching practices, Christian ECE philosophy, an active early learning environment and a consistent daily routine that underlie and support a quality ECE curriculum.

EDF 146         Play and Learning Experiences                                                               2

This course involves a study of young children’s learning through play, includes identifying active learning experiences establishing and maintaining an environment for play; and identifying teacher roles in play-based learning.

EDF 160         Environment and the Development of the Preschool Child         2

The characteristics of the facilitative environment for the child. Examination of the course of human development before and after birth through the preschool years.

EDF 162         Observations and Assessment of Young Children                            2

This course focuses on the scientific method of observing and recording the growth and development of young children in childhood education. Participants will explore the why, what, when, where and how of observation and assessment in appropriate environments for young children. The observation includes children’s behaviour in various aspects of development emotional cognitive, motor language, social, appropriate assessments to support learning, assessment for identification of special needs and assessment for programme evaluation and monitoring trends should be emphasized.                                   

 

EDF 166         Developing Home and School Relationship                                        2

This course focuses on the relationship and roles played by the home and the school in the education of children; emphasis is laid on the need for collaboration. Problem areas like skills in communication, shared leadership, and knowledge acquisition are to be treated too.

 

EDU 201 Philosophy of Education                                                                                    2                                                                     

Philosophy as an aid to solution of problems in education, critical examination and analysis of current ideas within the educational field. Processes of clarification, justification and criticism of concepts in education

EDF 203         Principles of Guidance and Counselling                                              2  

Introduction to the Philosophy, need, historical development of guidance and counselling, the importance of guidance and counselling in the educational process, role definition, survey of school, guidance services and techniques.

EDU 206        Sociology of Education                                                                                 2

The role of formal education in relation to other social hierarchies and social mobility. Social and cultural characteristics of school populations and the teaching profession.

                         

EDU 211        Educational Psychology I                                                                             2

Psychological Foundations of Education

The foundation of modern psychology; the broad areas of contemporary psychology; major determinants of behaviour; basic psychological processes and principles; psychology and education.

EDF 223         Early Childhood Education Curriculum 11                                           2     

Theory, research evidence, standards and teaching practices that underline and support ECE curriculum area of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies and the visual and dramatic arts.

 

EDU 227        Introduction to Special Education                                                            2

This deals with the general introduction to the field, the various categories of disabilities and a case study.

 

EDU 228        Introduction to Special Education                                                            2

This deals with the general introduction to the field, the various categories of disabilities and case studies.

EDF 234         Special Methods in Early Childhood Education                                  2

The special techniques and methods applicable to teaching of pupils aged 6-11+ years. The course will examine existing educational tinkering and appropriate instructional methodology.

 

 

EDF 233         Presenting Literature to Children                                                             2

This course will introduce the students to the influence of literature on young children. The relationship between literature, language and literacy will be demonstrated by using different story presentation styles in a multicultural approach.

 

EDF 242         Music in Early Childhood Education                                                         2

This course is designed to promote personal growth in awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of music. It includes an overview of music as it relates to children concepts including timber, dynamics, rhythm, tempo and melody. Students will have the opportunity to explore theory and application in the area of singing, instruments, movement and listening.

EDF 252         Fieldwork in Childhood Education                                                            2

Participants are expected to put ECE theories into practice, document their experiences, plan and evaluate their learning co-operatively through selected field site practicum placements and seminars.

 

EDU 312        Educational Psychology II                                                                              2

Human Growth and Development

The major theories of human development; the course of development with emphasis on physical, motor, intellectual, language, social, emotional and moral dimensions of development; factors influencing the growth and development of the African child.

 

EDU 323        Pre-School Education                                                                                      2

This course focuses on the background of Pre-primary Education, Child development theories, Curriculum and Management issues, teaching in Early Education and field experiences.

 

EDU 325        Teaching Practice I                                                                                           3

Supervision teaching practices in schools, with related school responsibilities. This course is offered during University vacation only.

 

EDF 331         Language Skills In Early Childhood Education                                      2

This course focuses on the theories of language and language skills, stages of language development in young children, stages of child development to literacy development, developmentally appropriate ways to support children literacy at home and in an early education, reading and writing development, phonemics awareness in the language, phonological system, the semantic system, pragmatic system as well as how to use assessment to support the development of language skills in children.

 

EDF 332         Montessori Approach to Childhood Education                                      2

Philosophy, basic concepts and principles of Montessori’s approach to learning.

 

EDF 333         Numeracy Skills in Early Childhood Education                                     2

This course focuses on the use of counters, pictures, objects, games etc to teach the basic concepts in mathematics such as numbering and numeration, learning to write numbers and mathematical signs in tens, hundred etc teacher guided lesson are emphasized.

 

 

EDF 363         Science in the Early Years                                                                               2

This course is an examination of curricular issues in the teaching of science what, how and why? Involves the use of different methods of teaching children science to acquire scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes. The course focuses on process oriented inquiry which includes expository methodology, guided-inquiry methodology, inquiry methodology etc. emphasis is also on the use of appropriate instructional materials.

 

EDF 365         Administration of Early Childhood Education Centres                            2

This course lays emphasis on developing sound program management and fiscal management skills with a focus on interpersonal relationship. Participants and introduced to the responsibilities of an administrator in terms of setting up and/or maintaining an ongoing program in different types of early childhood centres.

 

EDU 411        Educational Psychology III                                                                                    2

Learning and Teaching

Theories, speculations and conditions of learning and teaching with emphasis on individual differences, motivation, retention and transfer of learning; learning disabilities; learning environments; classroom problems; management and evaluation of learning in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains; teacher effectiveness in the Nigerian education system.

 

EDF 411         Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education                                                  2

The course presents theories and practices in early childhood education. It will cover basic needs of children and the basic facilities required in child care and pre-school. Format for the course will include observations in pre-schools, child care centres, kindergartens and elementary schools.

EDF 415         Contemporary Issues in Childhood Education                                                2

Parenting concerns/defaults, Stakeholders roles-teachers, communities and government, School feeding, ECE programmes in other lands – Reggiio Emuliam Head start, Montessori Method etc

 

EDF 417         Theories and Practices in Early Childhood Education                                 2

Philosophical basis and exposition to various theories of early childhood education vis Piaget, Montessori etc.

EDU 425        Teaching Practice II                                                                                                   3

Supervised teaching practice in schools, with related school responsibilities. This course is offered during University vacation only.

 

EDU 434        Classroom Organization and Management                                                     2

The nature and scope of Classroom Organization and Management. The principles and practice of classroom organization and management in Nigeria. The need for classroom organization and management in Nigeria Schools in particular and in West Africa in general. Relationship between classroom organization, management, and pupils’ performance. The philosophy of classroom organization and management. Human beings as people of worth.

 

EDU 451        Project                                                                                                                            4

Individual supervised reading on problem of concern to education, ordinary culminating in the presentation of a formal paper on one’s selected problems.

EDF 452         Elements of Research in Early Childhood Education                                 2

Concepts of research. Different approaches to research in early childhood education age children. Problems of research in early childhood education age. Field experiences

 

 EDF 455        Citizenship Education                                                                                              2

Citizenship education, roles, rights, privileges and responsibilities. The Nigerian citizen and the constitution.

 

EDF 460         Child Policy Issues                                                                                                   2

This course focuses on Women and Children’s rights, Child Rights Act family life HIV/AIDS Education (FLHE). This enables students to analyze issues in the education and care of young children and to design recommendations for child care policy and programme development. Students also analyze the curriculum components of various programme types or curriculum models; these findings and others lead to development of child care policies, child advocacy efforts, and educational programmes.

 

EDF 462         Children and their Environments                                                                       2 

Environmental and developmental issues shaping the lives of children and their families; children’s rights; children and their families in various environments; observation and work with children in related settings.

 

EDF 463         Organization and Administration in Early Childhood Education.          2

Principles of school administration as applied to pre-primary schools. A study of organizational professional and legal roles, rights and responsibilities as regards proprietor, principal, staff and ancillary staff in public and a proprietarily institution in relation to the rest of the school system. Security of tenure and service conditions for staff. Students direct observation in Nursery and primary schools under supervision with the aims of on-the-spot study of themes specific by the supervisor. Such themes include the organization of elementary science teaching, pupil participation in games, the teaching of number work etc.

 

Stress Areas

Foundation Courses                                                                                                               0

Primary Education                                                                                                                  1

Child Development                                                                                                                 2

Methods                                                                                                                                     3

Basic Skills                                                                                                                                 4

Cultural and Creative Arts                                                                                                      5

Organization and Administration of Primary Education                                                 6

Basic Sciences                                                                                                                             7

Project                                                                                                                                          9

 

 

FOUR YEAR STANDARD DEGREE PROGRAMME
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES  TITLE       UNITS
EDF 113 Origin and Development of Primary Education 2
EDF 147 Methods and Curriculum in Primary Education 2
EDU 101 Introduction to Education 2
EDU 103  History of Education 2
EDU 211 Educational Psychology I 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSE

SSE 103 Introduction to Social Studies Education and Nation Building 3
GENERAL STUDIES COURSES
GSP 101
Study Skills and Basic Research Methods 2
GSP 105 Natural Science I 2
TOTAL   17

 

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES  TITLE         

         UNITS

EDF 148 Mother Tongue in Primary Education 2
EDF 164 The Environment- Home, School and Society 2
EDF 168 Seminar Issues and Problems in Primary Education 2
EDF 232 Special Methods in Primary Education 2
EDU 202 Philosophy of Education 2
EDU 206 Sociology of Education 2

 

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

EDA 104 Introduction to Creative Design 2
PHP 156 Nutrition Education 2
HKS 238 Motor Learning and Human Performance 3

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

GSP 102 Basic Grammar and Varieties of Writing 2
GSP 106 Natural Science II 2
TOTAL   23

 

SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE       UNITS
EDF 165 Primary Education in Traditional African Societies 2
EDF 213 Philosophy of Primary Education 2
EDF 215 Introduction to Primary Curriculum 2
EDU 213 Principles of Guidance and Counseling 2
EDU 221 Curriculum Theory and Planning 3
EDU 227 Introduction to Special Education 2

 

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSE

COS 101                                 Introduction to Computer Science 2

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

GSP 201                                  Peace and Conflict Resolution 2
GSP 207                                  Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence 2
TOTAL 19

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE       UNITS
EDF 260 Principles and Methods of Teaching 2
EDF 268 Introduction to Teacher Education 2
EDU 206 Sociology of Education 2
EDU 312 Educational Psychology II 2

 

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

VTE 148 Creativity and Life Skills Education 2
EDS 204 Environmental Education 2
COS 304 Computer Application 2
EDA 316 Language Education 2
PHP 356 First Aid and Safety Education 2

 

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

GSP 202 Basic Social Sciences 2
GSP 208 Nigerian Peoples and Culture 2
TOTAL                                                                                                                       22


THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE       UNITS
EDF 211 Moral Education in Primary School 2
EDU 313  Issues in Primary Education 2
EDU 325 Teaching Practice 1 3
EDU 341 Research Methods, Statistics and Computer Usage 3
EDU 431 Educational Administration and Planning 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

INT.SC 111 Introduction to Integrated Science 2
CED 341 Introduction to Entrepreneurship Education 2
TOTAL                                                                                                                                  16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE UNITS
EDF 336 Personality and Social Development 2
EDF 334 Primary Education Teaching Methods 2
EDF 316 Primary Education Projects in Nigeria and Other Countries 2
EDU 224 Educational Technology 2
EDU 332 Curriculum Implementation and Instruction 3
EDU 432 Quality Assurances and Supervision in Basic and Secondary Education 2

 

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

VTE 246 Household Equipment   2
LIS 302 School Librarianship   2
CED 342 Business Development and Management   2
INT.SC 356 Our Natural Environment   2

 

TOTAL                                                                                                                                    21

 

FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TIILE        UNITS
SSE 403 Social Studies Education: Problems and Prospects of  Nation Building 3
EDF 425 Teaching Practice II 3
EDF 441 Reading and Language Arts for primary school 2
EDF 459 Creative Arts for Primary Education 2
EDU 411 Educational Psychology III 2
EDU 433 Classroom Organization and Management 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSE

PHP 253 School Health Education 2

 

 

TOTAL                                                                                                                                  16
SECOND SEMESTER
MAJOR COURSES                    TITLE                                                                        UNITS

EDF 338                     Montessori Approach to Childhood Education     2
EDF 422 Recreation Education / Play 3
EDF 466 Family Life and Emerging Health Issues 2
EDU 442 Measurement and Evaluation 2
EDU 490 Project 4

 

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

LIS 426 Children’s Literature 2
VTE 444 Child Development Practicum 2
EDA 452 Teaching Children’s Literature 2
TOTAL 19

                                                                                                                                   

THREE YEAR STANDARD DEGREE PROGRAMME
FIRST YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE UNITS
EDF 213 Philosophy of Primary Education 2
EDF 215 Introduction to Primary Curriculum 2
EDU 101 Introduction to Education 2
EDU 103 History of Education 2
EDU 211 Educational Psychology I 2
EDU 221 Curriculum Theory and Planning 3

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSE

COS. 101 Introduction to Computer Science 2

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

GSP 201 Peace and Conflict Resolution 2
GSP 207 Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence

 

2
TOTAL             19

                                                                                                                       

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE        UNITS
EDF268 Introduction to Teacher Education 2
EDF 332 Personality and Social Development 2
EDU 202 Philosophy of Education 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

EDS 204 Environmental Education 2
EDA104 Introduction to Creative Design II 2
VTE 148 Creativity and Life Skills Education 2
INT.SC 154 Life Science 2
PHP156 Nutrition Education 2
HKS238 Motor Learning and Human Performance 3

 

 

 

GENERAL STUDIES COURSES

GSP 202 Basic Social Sciences 2
GSP 208 Nigerian Peoples and Culture 2
TOTAL 23

 

SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE UNITS
EDF 211 Moral Education in Primary School 2
EDF 325 Teaching Practice I 3
EDU 227 Introduction to Special Education 2
EDU 213 Principles of Guidance and Counseling 2
EDU 341 Research Methods, Statistics and Computer Usage 3
EDU 431 Educational Administration and Planning 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

SSE 103 Introduction to Social Studies Education and Nation Building 3
INT.SC 111 Introduction to Integrated Science 2
CED 341  Introduction to Entrepreneurship Education 3
TOTAL 22

 

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE                 UNITS
EDF 232 Special Method in Primary Education 2
EDF 316 Primary Education Projects in Nigeria and Other countries 2
EDU 224

 

Educational Technology 2
EDU 312 Educational Psychology II 2
EDU 432 Quality Assurance and Supervision in Basic  and Secondary Education 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

VTE 246 Kitchen Equipment 2
COS 304 Computer Application 2
EDA 316  Language Education 2
CED 342 Business Development and Management 2
INT.SC 356 Our Natural Environment 2
EDA 452 Teaching Children’s Literature 2
TOTAL   22

 

THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES                           TITLE       UNITS
EDF 431 Primary Methods: Reading and Language Arts for Young Children 2
EDF 469 Creative Arts for Primary Education 2
SSE 403 Social Studies Education: Problems and Prospects of Nation 3
EDU 313 Issues in Primary Education 2
EDU 411 Educational Psychology III 2
EDU 425 Teaching Practice II 3

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSE

PHP253  School Health Education 2

TOTAL                                                                                                                                  16

SECOND SEMESTER

MAJOR COURSES TITLE UNITS
EDF 368 Montessori Approaches to Childhood Education 2
EDF 422 Recreation Education / Play 3
EDF 466 Family Life and Emerging Health Issues 2
EDF 490 Project 4
EDU 206 Sociology of Education  
EDU 434 Classroom Organization and Management 2
EDU 442 Measurement and Evaluation 2

REQUIRED ANCILLARY COURSES

LIS 302 School Librarianship 2
PHP 356     First Aid and Safety Education 2
LIS 426 Children’s literature 2
VTE 444 Child Development Practicum 2
TOTAL   23