Action Research in PGD ECE 2026
This module introduces action research as a systematic and reflective approach to inquiry within early childhood education professional practice. It positions practitioners as researchers of their own practice, engaging critically with questions that emerge from authentic classroom contexts.
Grounded in iterative cycles of observation, analysis, action, and reflection, the module supports the development of critical thinking and evidence-informed pedagogical decision-making. Educators will examine how inquiry can strengthen the relationship between theory and practice, while remaining responsive to children’s developmental trajectories and learning experiences.
The module is structured around five key critical components of academic research: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Findings and Discussion, and Conclusion. You will be guided to frame a focused research question, engage with relevant literature, design and implement a contextually appropriate methodology, and analyse findings grounded in evidence from your own practice. Emphasis is placed on interpreting classroom-based data to generate meaningful insights and inform pedagogical action.
Through this process, you will cultivate a rigorous reflective stance and recognise action research as a powerful tool for continuous professional learning and improvement in early childhood settings.
Module 003 - Special Education in Early Years
This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of special education and inclusive practices within early childhood education. The module combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering an environment where you can critically analyse, reflect, and implement strategies to support children with special educational needs/neurodiverse learners.
Objectives:
to understand the fundamental concepts of special education and inclusion
to explore various observation methods and their application in early childhood education
to develop skills for documenting and interpreting children's developmental milestones and needs
to foster critical thinking and reflective practices in supporting special education
to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios in diverse educational settings
Module Structure:
The module is divided into weekly sessions, each focusing on different aspects of special education/neurodiversity. Each week includes a combination of video lectures, readings, discussion assignments, practical exercises, and reflective learning diary entries.
Ethical Considerations:
Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards when conducting observations and documenting findings.
Focus on objective observations, avoiding interpretations or diagnoses.
Support and Resources:
Access course materials, readings, and video lectures through the provided Moodle online platform.
Seek support from facilitators for clarification and guidance on assignments.
By following these guidelines, you will gain a thorough understanding of special education and inclusive practices, enhancing your ability to support diverse learners in early childhood education settings.
Mentoring
Dear Learner,
Please click on the link below to access the one-on-one mentoring schedule and select any one given date and one slot that suits you.
Please note that the link editable therefore we request everyone to carefully select their mentoring slot and avoid making changes once it has been scheduled. If you are unable to attend your scheduled slot, please inform at the earliest. https://indusschool-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/sasha_kwan_itari_in/IQAABvsl__0DSrU3PhVODTAiAcRKtI3CnfRMND-gzby8F68?e=ufmKiZ
Kindly note, the meeting will be on first come first serve basis for 15 minutes. Request you to come prepared with your reflective journal.
Best regards,
ECE Team
Life Entrepreneurship
Life Entrepreneurship
This module invites you to see yourself not only as a teacher, but as a life entrepreneur — someone who intentionally designs both your personal and professional journey with clarity, courage, and purpose.
As you move through this module, you will reflect deeply on your beliefs, strengths, aspirations, and the kind of impact you want to create in the lives of children. You will explore how adaptability, resilience, creativity, and ethical decision-making shape your identity as an educator in a rapidly evolving world.
Inspired by ideas from Design Your Life, you will learn to prototype possibilities, embrace uncertainty, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Life entrepreneurship is not about business — it is about ownership. It is about how you choose to lead your learning, shape your mindset, and align your daily actions with your deeper values.
By the end of this module, you will not only design pathways for yourself, but also embody agency, reflection, and intentional living modelling for children what it means to live and learn with purpose.
Module 002 Playful Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education
In this module, the focus and aim is on pedagogy. The module explores the historical and theoretical starting points and basic concepts of the early childhood pedagogy, including the different levels of the curricula and pedagogical approaches. Also, the approaches of play and playful learning with multimodal pedagogical practices are examined. You will gain knowledge and professional skills to design, implement, observe, document, and evaluate classroom activities and plan assignments for high-quality learning in early childhood education. The special focus is on supporting children’s self-initiated learning through playful pedagogy. You will become familiar with the curricula and learn to develop, implement, and assess pedagogical plans. You will build on their professional identity as early childhood education pedagogues.
Play is examined as a cultural, developmental, and pedagogical phenomenon, and as a site of politics. You will become acquainted with different theories and playful environments, as well as narrative learning and the observation, planning, and guidance of the play. They will learn how to use play in different contexts of education and support children’s learning in playful ways. This module will include a practice period.
Learning Goals:
● Recognises the pedagogical frames of national and local ECE services
● Builds personal professional practices based on pedagogical models
● Understands the nature of play in early learning
● Learns methods for observing learning in play-based activities in class
● Is able to support learning through playful teaching methods
● Get tools for supporting and planning playful activities based on the curriculum
Practice Outcomes:
● Familiarize themselves with the concept of pedagogy as a teaching method and the professional competence of teachers in ECE
● Develop and plan their personal professional pedagogical skills
● Develop their professional curricular understanding
● Familiarize themselves with play and playful learning
● Get tools to use playful practices in class
● Explore and practice playful pedagogy
● Design a playful learning environment for local premises
● Learn methods for observing learning in play-based activities in class
Module 001- Childhood and Children as Social Actors
In the module, you will become acquainted with the processes that shape childhood, families and society, and children's everyday lives (including children's media culture). This module focuses on global child policies, children’s participation in education, and how young children participate in and contribute to society.
You will build on your knowledge of children's development and the relation of social agency to the child's individual development and communities. You will deepen your understanding of the educational psychological theories surrounding the development and perspectives of childhood and gain pedagogical planning skills that build on observation of and interaction with children.
This
module also explores the foundational principles and innovative
practices shaping early childhood education today. It delves into
understanding the developmental needs of young learners, particularly
Generation Alpha and Beta, emphasising personalised and child-centered
approaches to foster active agency and participation. The programme
highlights the evolving role of educators in an age influenced by AI,
encouraging reflective practices, observation skills, and participatory
pedagogy to create enriched learning environments. Through a blend of
tactile, kinesthetics, and STEAM-based methodologies, you will explore
strategies to support children's active engagement and foster
collaborative learning. The module also connects these practices to
broader societal contexts, underscoring the importance of building
strong futures by empowering families and embracing the dynamic
interplay between childhood and society.
Learning Goals:
Consider early learning through the developmental point of view
Identify the child-centered approach to education
Recognise the different means of communication as an individual, shared, verbal and non-verbal processes
Understand how childhood is shaped and transformed in society
Understand the role of active and participatory learning in early childhood education
Recognise the key childhood politics at the practice level
Practice Outcomes:
Familiarisation with children’s opinions, everyday environment and life
Concept of learning and childhood in the 21st century
Explore children’s participation and agentic learning in ECE
Practice observation and interaction skills with children in ECE services
Get tools for supporting the communication in classroom
Facilitate the participation of children at the practical level
Introduction to the Postgraduate Diploma In Early Childhood Education 2026
Welcome to the Future of Early Childhood Education in the 21st Century!
In an era of rapid change, early childhood education must evolve to meet the needs of today’s learners. This programme invites you on a transformative journey that strengthens professional identity, deepens pedagogical expertise, and integrates research-based practices into early learning contexts.
You will explore essential 21st-century competencies, including social-emotional development, psychological well-being, and holistic learning. Through this, you will gain the skills to nurture these capacities in young children while refining your own teaching approaches and embracing emerging educational trends.
A key focus of the programme is understanding childhood and its complex developmental processes. You will study the interplay between children, families, society, and educational systems, enabling you to design meaningful learning experiences and support children as active contributors to their world.
The programme also emphasises playful and holistic learning. You will learn to observe and extend learning through play, and to create stimulating environments that support cognitive and socio-emotional growth.
By the end, you will feel confident in designing and assessing pedagogical plans aligned with national and local curricula and in stepping forward as an advocate for young children and the early childhood profession.
As we begin this teacher education programme centred on playful learning and teaching, we invite you to step into an innovative space where research, creativity, and meaningful practice intersect. Welcome to this in-service teacher training programme—a stepping stone towards a more playful, compassionate, and enlightened future in education.