Advanced Certificate in Teachers Aide

Module 1: Classroom Delivery Skills

1. Interpersonal Communication in Education
2. Listening Skills
3. Understanding Motivation
4. Motivational factors
5. Applying Motivation to Education
6. Stress Management
7. Conflict Management
8. Mediation and Negotiation

In this module, you will explore practical and important skills required to have a successful teaching-learning experience within a classroom environment. Discover strategies to help improve a student’s ability to listen, while at the same time exploring ways to better your communication delivery to optimise learning. Learn how to motivate and engage students by fostering their unique differences and adapting your teaching style accordingly.

Module 2: Educational Psychology

1. Introduction -Development and Learning Theory
2. Behavioural Learning
3. Information Processing
4. Memory Retention and Loss
5. Individual Needs
6. Constructivist Learning
7. Motivation

Educational Psychology explores how human beings develop in terms of language, memory and learning processes. In this module, you will learn how to apply this educational psychology to various learning environments to get the best out of your students and enhance your teacher-student relationships. You will explore different approaches to teaching and learning, and their benefits or disadvantages in different situations. Gain a better understanding of the various theories of development and learning, to ensure the lessons you design are effective and successful.

Module 3: Child and Adolescent Mental Health

1. Nature and Scope of Mental Health
2. Childhood Depression
3. Anxiety Disorders
4. Tic Disorders
5. Brain Disorders (Injury and Disease)
6. Other Disorders
7. Environmental Problems
8. Problems of Adolescence
9. Holistic and Alternative Approaches to Treatment
10. Special Project

In this module, you will learn about mental health problems in childhood, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, tic disorders and problems associated with brain disease or injury, environmental factors, abuse and neglect. As an introductory module, it provides a solid foundation to the scope of common child and adolescent mental health disorders and how to identify them.

Module 4: Child Psychology

1. Introduction to Child Psychology
2. The Newborn Infant
3. States and Senses of the Infant
4. Leaming
5. Emotions and Socialisation
6. Cognitive Development
7. Language Development
8. Intelligenæ
9. Socialisation - Part A
10. Morality
11. Sexuality
12. Socialisation - Part B

This module aims to deliver an introduction into child psychology, where you will discover how infants and children develop (socially, cognitively, sexually, morally), how they acquire language, and different types of learning. You will hone your critical thinking skills, learn how to make observations of behaviour seen in children, and ways to analyse information to encourage you to approach scenarios from a different perspective.

This module will cover a range of topics; from discovering how parenting styles can influence childhood behaviour, to what age you can expect children to start speaking, to learning how much of a child’s behaviour is due to genetics and understanding how children learn in different ways.

Module 5: Time Management

1. Nature and Scope of Time Management
2. Obstacles to Time Management
3. Time Management Strategies
4. Time Management Assessment Tools
5. Prioritising Time
6. Maintaining Productivity
7. Effective Delegation
8. Other Time Management Tools

This module explores the nature and scope of time management, identifying common obstacles and equipping you with effective strategies to overcome them. It includes an in-depth look at various time management assessment tools, helping you to understand and prioritise tasks more effectively.

Additionally, this module delves into techniques for maintaining productivity, including the principles of effective delegation. It also covers a range of other time management tools designed to enhance efficiency in an educational setting. By the end of this module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage time effectively, a crucial skill for any teacher's aide.

Module 6: Anxiety Management

1. Scope and Nature of Anxiety and Panic
2. Defining Anxiety and Panic Disorders
3. Managing Anxiety: Anxiety Management Plans
4. Managing Social Anxiety Disorder
5. Managing Generalised Anxiety Disorder
6. Managing Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
7. Managing Environmental Factors that Increase Anxiety and Panic
8. Alternative Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Panic
9. Research Project – Anxiety Management

Delve into understanding the complexities of anxiety and panic disorders. It explores the nature and definition of these disorders, providing a thorough understanding of their impact on individuals. This module offers valuable insights into creating effective anxiety management plans, addressing specific conditions like social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. It also covers strategies for managing environmental factors that exacerbate anxiety and panic. Additionally, it includes a research project focused on anxiety management, allowing for deeper exploration and practical application of knowledge gained.

Module 7: Neurodiversity

1. Scope and Nature of Neurodiversity
2. Neurodiversity and Childhood
3. Neurodiversity and Adolescence
4. Neurodiversity in Adulthood
5. Neurodiversity and Relationships
6. Neurodiversity in Education
7. Neurodiversity in the Workplace
8. Counselling Neurodivergent Individuals

The Neurodiversity module provides an extensive exploration of neurodiversity across different life stages, from childhood through to adulthood. It examines the unique aspects of neurodiversity in childhood and adolescence and its implications in adult life, particularly in relationships, education and the workplace. It offers insights into the challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals and how to effectively support them in various settings. It also addresses counselling techniques tailored for neurodivergent individuals, emphasising the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity in society.