Key facts
UNE unit code: EDEC372
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information

In this unit, you will explore contemporary philosophies and theories of the arts for young children from birth to five years.
It offers an opportunity to re-examine your practice in relation to these theories and design a playful arts curriculum. Moreover, it will foster your confidence in teaching as well as your skill development in the creative arts.
Throughout this unit, you will develop your understanding of the importance of arts in society and culture and how the arts can facilitate children’s emotional and social expression, their imagination and their creativity.
You will learn to be an advocate for the arts as an essential vehicle for children’s learning and development.
This unit includes a 10-day block of professional placement in an ACECQA-approved centre-based early childhood education setting.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit requires 10 days of placement in an ACECQA approved centre-based early childhood education setting with a four year degree qualified supervising teacher and children aged birth to 5 years. Before entering the setting, all students must have completed online anaphylaxis training, an online Child Protection module, and have obtained a valid Working with Children Check clearance (for those students wishing to complete their placement in NSW) or equivalent (for those students wishing to complete their placement outside NSW).
Students must also comply with current placement centre vaccination rules.
Please see the Office for Professional Learning Important Information webpage for more information.
This module/unit addresses ACECQA's Curriculum requirements, referred to as Curriculum Specifications (CS).
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- advocate for the integration of performing arts within the learning environment as an effective vehicle for learning (CS: 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 5.2, 6.4);
- create, implement and evaluate integrated performing arts activities CS: 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 5.2);
- plan, implement, document and evaluate an integrated visual arts project with children that demonstrates how visual arts are an essential tool for learning (CS: 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 5.2); and
- reflect on and critique new ways to include visual arts practices in programming (CS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9).
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Play-based learning experience plan, implementation, evaluation and documentation of 2 performing arts activities with children. Relates to CS: 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 5.2, 6.4 No. Words: 2000 (equivalent) |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Write a proposal for a visual arts project with children and then conduct and evaluate the project. Relates to CS: 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 5.2, 6.4 No. Words: 2000 (equivalent) |
| Professional Experience - Assurance Task | Yes | All offerings | Professional Experience. This unit requires a 10 day placement in an ACECQA approved centre-based early childhood education setting with a four year degree qualified supervising teacher and children aged birth to 5 years. Students must receive a satisfactory report from their supervisor(s) in order to successfully pass this unit. Relates to CS: 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.2, 6.4
|
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
It's Arts Play. Young Children Belonging, Being and Becoming Through the Arts
ISBN: 9780190354671
Dinham, J., & Chalk, B., Oxford University Press 3rd ed. 2025
Text refers to: All offerings
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