EMBODIED APPROACHES AND PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

ECC433

Course Code: ECC433
Semester: -
Theory+Practice: 2 + 2
ECTS: 4

Course Type

Elective Course

Course Level

Bachelor's Degree

Year of Study

Semester

ECTS

Name of Lecturer(s)

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

Explain the fundamental principles and philosophy of body-based approaches in early childhood education.
Relate body awareness, breathing, balance, coordination, and attention exercises to children?s developmental domains.
Design educational activities integrating creative movement, dance, and story-based play.
Apply basic yoga, breathing, and relaxation techniques appropriate for young children.
Create safe and supportive learning environments for body-based activities in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Discuss pedagogical and aesthetic approaches to using the body as a means of expression in learning contexts.
Evaluate body-based practices in accordance with developmental appropriateness and ethical principles, and provide constructive feedback.

Mode of Delivery

Face to face

Prerequisites

Recommended Optional Programme Components

Course Description

This course explores the relationship between body awareness, attention, coordination, balance, and breathing-focused activities and the developmental domains of early childhood. It examines how structured and unstructured movement environments?both indoors and outdoors?contribute to children?s sensory, physical, and emotional integration. Students will engage with creative movement, dance, and story-based play activities, and learn how to integrate basic child-appropriate yoga practices into teaching processes. The course emphasizes the use of the body as a means of expression in learning environments and includes examples of activities supported by visual and auditory stimuli. Applications and assessment methods are discussed in line with developmental appropriateness and pedagogical principles.

Course Contents

WEEK	TOPICS
1^st Week	Introduction to the course: aims, scope, and key concepts
2^nd Week	Philosophical foundations of body-based learning approaches
3^rd Week	Relationship between developmental domains and body awareness in early childhood
4^th Week	Breathing, attention, and mindfulness-based practices
5^th Week	Basic yoga postures and adaptations for young children
6^th Week	Creative movement and expression through dance
7^th Week	Story-based games and bodily storytelling techniques
8^th Week	Midterm week
9^th Week	Designing pedagogical environments for indoor and outdoor body-based activities
10^th Week	Group dynamics and leadership in body-based play
11^th Week	Activity examples supported by visual and auditory stimuli
12^th Week	Classroom and outdoor applications of body-based learning
13^th Week	Safety, ethical principles, and developmental appropriateness in movement activities
14^th Week	Presentation of applied body-based activity plans

Recommended or Required Reading

Khalsa, S. S., & Butera, L. (2014). Yoga for Children.
Guber, M. (2009). Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups.
Balasubramaniam, M. (2015). Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools.
Birdee, G. S. (2010). Yoga for Children in the Classroom.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Practice
Other
Lecture
Discussion
Questions/Answers
Problem Solving
Presentation
Project

Assessment Methods and Criteria

	Quantity	Percentage (%)
Practice	1	60
Other	2	40
Total(%)		100
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)		100
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)		0
Total(%)		100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work	5	10	50
Preparation for Final exam
Course hours	14	3	42
Preparation for Midterm exam
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam
Homework	2	15	30
Total Work Load			122
Total Work Load / 30 (h)			4.06
ECTS Credit of the Course			4

Language of Instruction

Turkish

Work Placement(s)

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
K1	X
K2		X		X		X
K3	X
K4
K5					X
K6			X	X
K7	X		X		X
K8			X
K9
K10		X			X		X
K11		X				X
K12
K13
K14							X
K15				X		X
K16
K17							X
K18

	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
K1	X
K2		X		X		X
K3	X
K4
K5					X
K6			X	X
K7	X		X		X
K8			X
K9
K10		X			X		X
K11		X				X
K12
K13
K14							X
K15				X		X
K16
K17							X
K18

	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
K1	X
K2		X		X		X
K3	X
K4
K5					X
K6			X	X
K7	X		X		X
K8			X
K9
K10		X			X		X
K11		X				X
K12
K13
K14							X
K15				X		X
K16
K17							X
K18

	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
K1	X
K2		X		X		X
K3	X
K4
K5					X
K6			X	X
K7	X		X		X
K8			X
K9
K10		X			X		X
K11		X				X
K12
K13
K14							X
K15				X		X
K16
K17							X
K18