Communication in English

This course introduces students to the foundational concepts, roles, and responsibilities of teaching as a profession within the broader context of education and national development. It explores the ethical principles guiding teaching practice, as well as the intellectual and practical competencies required of effective educators. The course examines the historical development of education from ancient times to the present, with particular emphasis on the evolution of modern education in Nigeria and the provisions of the National Policy on Education. It also provides an overview of key learning theories, including behaviourist, cognitive, and socio-cultural perspectives, alongside the stages of child and adolescent development. In addition, the course highlights major historical and contemporary developments in the sociology and philosophy of education, equipping students with the analytical skills to evaluate educational practices and policies.

Introduction to Early Childhood Education

This course introduces educators to the fundamental concepts, tools, and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. It focuses on understanding how AI works, its applications in teaching and learning, ethical considerations, and strategies for integrating AI responsibly into educational practice. The course prepares educators to critically evaluate AI tools, design AI-enhanced learning experiences, and guide students in AI literacy.

This course explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can thoughtfully, ethically, and developmentally appropriately enhance teaching and learning in early childhood education (ECE). Students will examine AI-supported instructional design, assessment, personalisation, inclusion, family engagement, and teacher professional practice, while grounding all applications in child development theory, play-based learning, and ethical considerations.

This course explores how digital storytelling and artificial intelligence (AI) can be meaningfully integrated to support early literacy development. Students will examine foundational literacy skills, narrative development, multimodal storytelling, and age-appropriate AI tools. Emphasis is placed on ethical, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate practices for young learners (ages 3–8).

Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT

Contemporary Health Issues

Environment and Sustainability

Nigerian Peoples and Culture

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the pre-school child and the central role of play in early childhood education. It examines the concept of the pre-school child, including definitions, interpretations of childhood, age classifications, and appropriate methods of care. The course explores the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of child development, as well as the roles of key stakeholders in early childhood care and education. Emphasis is placed on understanding play as a fundamental aspect of learning, including its meaning, types, and significance in child development. The course also covers a range of indoor and outdoor games, the design and management of safe and stimulating play environments, and practical strategies for caring for children during play. In addition, students are introduced to the improvisation, use, and maintenance of play equipment to support effective early learning experiences.

This course introduces the concept of creativity and its importance in early childhood education, focusing on its role in supporting cognitive, social, and emotional development. It examines factors that promote or hinder creativity and relevant theoretical perspectives. The course is practically oriented, emphasising the design and use of activity centres and creative experiences such as drawing, painting, block play, dramatic play, clay work, and simple science and cooking activities to foster imagination and active learning in young children.

This course introduces the principles and practices of administering and supervising early childhood education programmes, with emphasis on establishing and managing nursery schools. It covers planning, staffing, physical facilities, school design, and curriculum development aligned with children’s needs. The course also highlights pupils’ welfare, as well as the importance of school–home relationships and effective communication in ensuring quality early childhood education.

This course advances students’ skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating AI-supported digital storytelling for early literacy. It focuses on creating adaptive, personalised, and multimodal storytelling experiences that enhance reading and language development. Students explore advanced narrative design, AI tools for responsive storytelling, and strategies for classroom integration. The course culminates in a capstone project where students develop and present an inclusive, AI-supported digital storytelling intervention for early learners.

This course introduces first-year students to immersive technologies—such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and interactive digital media—and their applications in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Learners will explore how these technologies support play-based learning, creativity, inclusion, and the cognitive development of young children (ages 0–8), with emphasis on Nigerian and African educational contexts. The course adopts an open, distance, and digital learning approach, combining theory with practical, low-cost, and accessible applications.

This course introduces first-year students to the fundamentals of Robotics and STEM education with a focus on young learners (early childhood and primary levels). Students will explore basic robotics concepts, computational thinking, and STEM integration using low-cost, unplugged, and digital tools suitable for Nigerian educational contexts. The course prepares learners to design age-appropriate STEM and robotics activities that promote creativity, problem-solving, and innovation in young children.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of curriculum, including its meaning, types, and development processes, with particular focus on analysing and applying the Nigerian core curricula for effective delivery. It introduces a range of teaching methods and strategies such as lecture, discussion, demonstration, problem-solving, cooperative learning, guided discovery, concept mapping, metacognition, argumentation, project-based learning, competency-based learning, and the culturotechno-contextual approach (CTCA). The course emphasises practical teaching skills, including lesson planning, scheduling, and assessment of learning outcomes, as well as the selection, use, and improvisation of instructional resources and media. It also addresses classroom management in diverse settings, with attention to learners with special needs and gifted students, while equipping students with essential 21st-century competencies such as the use of ICT and the design and management of online classes for effective and inclusive teaching.

This course introduces students to the characteristics, identification, and support of young children with special needs within early childhood education settings. It examines various categories of special needs and the methods for identifying such children in nursery schools, alongside practical strategies for effectively supporting their learning and development. The course explores the concept and principles of inclusive education, highlighting its roles in promoting equity, participation, and access for all learners. Emphasis is placed on valuing and protecting the rights of children with special needs, as well as adopting appropriate methods of care and instruction. Additionally, the course addresses the importance of collaboration with parents and caregivers, equipping students with skills to build positive relationships that support the holistic development of children with special needs.

This course focuses on the development of foundational mathematical concepts in early childhood through experiential and discovery-based learning. It explores how young children construct logico-mathematical and spatio-temporal knowledge by interacting with objects and their environment. The course covers key concepts such as spatial relationships, time and number concepts, one-to-one correspondence, classification, seriation, and conservation, as well as comparing sizes, quantities, and patterns. Students are introduced to the use and creation of teaching aids and engaging learning activities that support early numeracy development. Emphasis is also placed on assessing mathematical understanding in young learners and teaching essential concepts such as shapes, sets, sorting patterns, money, time, weight, and length in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways.

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of assessment in early childhood education, with emphasis on understanding its purpose, methods, and application in supporting children’s development. It explores the concept of assessment, reasons for its use, and basic statistical tools for interpreting assessment data in educational contexts. The course examines appropriate techniques for assessing young children, including cognitive and emotional development, while recognising the unique characteristics of early learners. It also addresses the challenges and procedures associated with effective child-rearing and evaluation, within the context of changing social, cultural, economic, and political influences on early learning. Students are equipped with practical skills to apply a range of assessment techniques that promote holistic development and inform instructional decision-making in early childhood settings.

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of gamification and interactive play as tools for enhancing teaching and learning in digital classrooms. It focuses on foundational concepts, theories of play, learner motivation, and the practical design of simple game-based learning activities suitable for online, blended, and low-bandwidth educational environments. Emphasis is placed on inclusive, culturally relevant, and ethically responsible use of gamification in Nigerian and global digital education contexts.

This course introduces early childhood education students to the knowledge and skills required to understand, collect, interpret, and ethically use data to support teaching, learning, assessment, and decision-making in early childhood settings. Emphasis is placed on practical, low-cost, and contextually relevant data practices suitable for Nigerian early childhood education environments and open and distance learning contexts.

Teaching Observation

Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence

This course introduces students to the development of social attributes and behaviours in early childhood, with emphasis on fostering positive social skills in young learners. It explores peer relationships and the processes through which children develop interaction, cooperation, and independence within nursery school settings. The course examines common social problems among pupils, their underlying causes, and their impact on learning and development. Students are equipped with practical strategies for promoting social adjustment and managing behavioural challenges, including effective methods for supporting children with social difficulties and enhancing their ability to function successfully in group environments.

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the concept, structure, and development of curriculum in early childhood education. It examines different approaches to curriculum design, with particular focus on the National Early Childhood Education Curriculum developed by NERDC. The course highlights the importance and rationale for curriculum development, as well as the roles of various curriculum planning organisations. Students are introduced to key curriculum materials and frameworks used in early childhood settings, alongside contemporary issues affecting curriculum implementation. In addition, the course explores the concept of the hidden curriculum, including its meaning and examples, enabling students to recognise both explicit and implicit learning experiences that shape children’s development.

This course is a continuation of Gamification and Interactive Play in Digital Classrooms I. It deepens students’ understanding of advanced gamification strategies, interactive learning systems, digital game design, learner analytics, and inclusive play-based learning in virtual and blended classrooms. Emphasis is placed on design, implementation, evaluation, and contextual adaptation of gamified learning environments suitable for Nigerian and global digital education contexts.

This course examines the roles of families and communities in supporting early childhood development and education. It explores effective partnership models between homes, schools, and communities, with particular attention to Nigerian socio-cultural contexts. Students will learn strategies for building inclusive, collaborative relationships that promote holistic development of young children in early childhood settings.

This course introduces students to the principles of digital citizenship and the responsible, ethical, and safe use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early childhood contexts. It explores how young children engage with digital technologies, the role of educators and caregivers in guiding safe digital practices, and the implications of AI tools in learning environments. The course is designed for delivery through open and distance learning, with emphasis on practical, culturally relevant, and policy-aligned approaches within the Nigerian and global context.

Micro-teaching

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and the essential skills required for information literacy in the digital age. It explores the history, principles, and key techniques of AI, including machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing, alongside their applications in information systems such as search engines, recommender systems, and chatbots. The course emphasises the development of critical information literacy skills, enabling students to effectively access, evaluate, and use digital information while identifying issues of credibility, relevance, and bias. Students examine the role of AI in information access, decision-making, and big data analysis, as well as its broader societal impact, including implications for employment and the future of work. Ethical considerations such as privacy, data security, consent, and algorithmic fairness are critically analysed. Through practical activities and case studies, students gain hands-on experience with AI tools and develop strategies for integrating AI into information tasks, culminating in collaborative projects that address real-world information challenges in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

This course provides students with supervised practical teaching experience designed to bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice. It focuses on the application of pedagogical knowledge, subject mastery, and child psychology in real classroom settings. Students develop and demonstrate essential teaching competencies, including effective lesson delivery, appropriate use of instructional materials, and responsive interaction with learners. Emphasis is placed on understanding individual differences among pupils and applying this knowledge to support diverse learning needs. The course also strengthens professional attitudes towards teaching and enhances classroom management skills. Prior to full classroom engagement, students participate in micro-teaching sessions to refine their instructional techniques and build confidence for effective teaching practice.

This course introduces students to the principles of maternal and child health, with emphasis on factors influencing health and well-being within the community. It explores concepts of health, growth, and development, alongside common childhood diseases, their symptoms, prevention, and the importance of immunisation. The course also addresses health challenges faced by women across different life stages, including issues related to sexual maturation, menopause, and ageing. In addition, students are introduced to the fundamentals of nutrition, including nutrient components, energy balance, and dietary needs of pregnant and lactating women, as well as children aged 0–6 years. Emphasis is placed on preventing malnutrition and promoting hygienic food preparation practices, equipping students with knowledge and skills to support healthy living in early childhood contexts.

This course examines the processes and stages of reading and literacy development in early childhood, with emphasis on understanding how children acquire language and literacy skills. It explores key theories and developmental milestones related to emergent literacy, as well as the interrelationships between memory, thought, and language. The course highlights factors that positively and negatively influence literacy development, enabling students to identify and address barriers to effective learning. Students are also introduced to practical strategies and activities that promote language growth, reading readiness, and literacy development in young learners. In addition, the course develops students’ ability to document and communicate observations through simple and technical reports, supporting informed instructional practices.

This course explores the integration of educational technology (EduTech) and assistive artificial intelligence (AI) to promote inclusive early childhood education (ECE). Students will examine how digital tools, assistive devices, and AI-powered applications can support children with diverse learning needs in Nigerian early childhood settings. Emphasis is placed on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ethical AI use, accessibility, culturally responsive practices, and low-resource innovations suitable for Nigerian schools and communities.

This course introduces students to the principles, tools, and practices of educational technology and e-learning for early childhood education. Emphasis is placed on the pedagogical integration of digital tools to support teaching, learning, play, assessment, and inclusion of children aged 0–8 years, within both formal and informal learning environments. The course prepares students to design, select, adapt, and evaluate age-appropriate digital learning experiences suitable for Nigerian and low-resource contexts.

This course examines major theories and principles of child development, learning, and neuroeducation, with emphasis on how biological, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors influence learning across childhood. It integrates insights from developmental psychology, educational psychology, and neuroscience to inform effective teaching, learning, and educational practice within the Nigerian and global contexts. The course is designed for flexible, distance, and digital learning environments.

Peace and Conflict Resolution

Venture Creation

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of educational measurement, testing, research methods, and statistical analysis in education. It focuses on the development and use of valid and reliable assessment instruments, including test construction, blueprint design, item analysis, and evaluation of learning across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. The course explores the meaning, types, and processes of research, with emphasis on descriptive and experimental designs, proposal writing, literature review, and sampling techniques. Students gain knowledge of different types of data, appropriate statistical tools for analysis, and hypothesis testing using concepts such as probability, critical values, and errors in inference. Practical skills in data analysis using IBM-SPSS and other relevant tools are developed, alongside competencies in interpreting results and reporting research findings. Ethical considerations in research, including cultural, social, political, and economic factors, are also critically examined.

This course examines the theories, principles, and stages of motor development in early childhood, with emphasis on understanding how movement contributes to children’s overall growth and learning. It explores the phases of motor development, including reflexive, rudimentary, fundamental, and sport-related movements, as well as the physical, cognitive, and social correlates of motor skills. The course highlights the role of play in promoting motor development, self-concept, and physical abilities, and examines factors that influence children’s engagement in play. Students are introduced to different phases of play and methods for encouraging active participation, as well as the use of play in diagnosing behavioural challenges. Emphasis is placed on applying the play method and related strategies to support holistic development in early childhood education settings.

This course introduces students to the role of music in early childhood education and its contribution to children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. It explores the functions of music, the use of songs, rhymes, and movement activities, and techniques for engaging young children in musical experiences. Students learn to identify and classify musical instruments suitable for children, select appropriate teaching materials, and apply music as a tool for instruction and behavioural development. The course also covers assessment of musical learning, development of expression through music, and strategies for encouraging participation in musical activities. In addition, students gain practical experience in designing and organising a music centre in the classroom to support creative and interactive learning.

This course provides an introduction to the nature and importance of science in early childhood education, focusing on developing children’s curiosity and understanding of their environment through hands-on experiences. It explores basic scientific concepts such as living and non-living things, heat and light, sky and space, and simple scientific methods appropriate for young learners. The course emphasises the use of concept mapping and practical activities to support inquiry-based learning. It also integrates movement education, including the use of equipment, games, and exercises suitable for children aged 3–6, and highlights the role of physical activity in learning. Students are equipped with appropriate teaching methods and strategies for delivering science and movement education effectively in early childhood settings.

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of guidance and counselling in early childhood education, with emphasis on supporting the psychological, social, and emotional development of young children. It explores the objectives and relevance of counselling, common psycho-social problems in early childhood, and appropriate strategies for intervention, including counselling through play and behavioural approaches. The course examines the roles of significant others, including teachers, parents, and support staff, in fostering children’s well-being. It also highlights the importance of family structures, roles, and intra-family relationships in shaping children’s development and learning. Students are equipped with skills for engaging parents, addressing family-related challenges, and promoting positive developmental outcomes through effective counselling practices.

This course explores innovative digital pedagogies for effective childhood education in open, distance and digital learning environments. It focuses on the integration of digital tools, child-centred pedagogies, inclusive practices, and culturally responsive approaches suitable for Nigerian and African contexts. Students will critically examine how technology can enhance teaching, learning, assessment, and child development in early and primary education settings.

This course provides an advanced supervised teaching experience that builds on Teaching Practice I, enabling students to further develop and demonstrate professional competence in real classroom settings. It focuses on the effective application of subject knowledge, pedagogical skills, and understanding of child psychology in diverse learning environments. Students refine their ability to use instructional materials appropriately, manage classrooms efficiently, and respond to individual differences among learners. Emphasis is placed on professional attitudes, reflective practice, and improved instructional delivery. Through micro-teaching and extended classroom engagement, students strengthen their confidence and effectiveness in implementing teaching and learning strategies in their subject areas.

This course introduces students to the concept and practice of drama in early childhood education, highlighting its role in children’s learning and development. It explores different types of drama, the history of educational drama, and the importance of play and dramatic activities in fostering creativity, communication, and social skills. The course examines various drama techniques and their application in teaching, including the integration of pedagogic drama into daily and weekly lesson plans. Students are encouraged to participate actively in drama activities, developing practical skills that support expressive and interactive learning experiences in early childhood settings.

This course focuses on the design, improvisation, and construction of instructional resources for effective teaching and learning in early childhood education. It explores the concept and importance of instructional materials, as well as strategies for creating low-cost teaching aids using locally available and recycled materials. Students gain practical experience in constructing a variety of resources, including musical instruments, toys, and different types of puppets such as cloth, wooden, string, and finger puppets. The course also examines the principles and standards guiding the design of safe and effective learning materials, as well as the planning and organisation of kindergarten spaces and playgrounds to enhance children’s learning experiences.

This course explores the concept of creativity and its significance in the development and education of young children. It examines major theories of creativity and the characteristics of environments that foster creative expression. The course highlights the relationship between creativity and art education, focusing on the development of children’s artistic skills, including drawing, use of colour, proportion, and conceptual representation. Students engage in a variety of creative activities, including the use of recycled materials, to promote innovation and imagination. Emphasis is placed on developing practical skills and understanding how to create learning experiences that nurture creativity in early childhood education settings.

This course equips final-year students with advanced knowledge and innovative practices in early childhood literacy and numeracy development. It emphasises culturally responsive pedagogy, digital and low-cost innovations, inclusive education, and evidence-based instructional strategies suitable for Nigerian early childhood settings. Learners will explore curriculum design, assessment, technology integration, family and community engagement, and policy perspectives within open and distance learning contexts.

This course equips final-year education students with entrepreneurial competencies and financial management skills required to create, manage, and sustain education-based ventures. Emphasis is placed on practical entrepreneurship, financial literacy, resource mobilisation, and ethical financial decision-making within Nigeria’s socio-economic and educational environment. The course adopts an open, distance and digital learning (ODeL) approach through self-study materials, online discussions, virtual case studies, and project-based learning.

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of creativity and innovation within entrepreneurial contexts, equipping them with the skills to generate, develop, and implement innovative business ideas. It explores key concepts such as design thinking, growth mindset, and problem framing, enabling students to challenge conventional thinking and identify meaningful opportunities in dynamic markets. The course emphasises the use of creativity tools and techniques, including brainstorming, SCAMPER, Six Thinking Hats, and TRIZ, to support ideation and solution development. Students learn to analyse market trends, understand customer needs, and design value propositions that differentiate their ideas. The course also introduces lean startup methodology, focusing on iterative development, minimum viable products (MVPs), and continuous learning through feedback. In addition, it develops skills in innovative leadership, teamwork, and effective communication, particularly in pitching and storytelling for stakeholder engagement. Through case studies, practical activities, and a final project, students apply course concepts to develop and present a viable startup idea, demonstrating their ability to think creatively and innovatively in real-world entrepreneurial settings.

This course provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in their area of specialisation in education, applying the knowledge and skills acquired in research methods, statistics, and evaluation. It guides students through the process of identifying relevant and researchable problems, conducting literature reviews, and designing appropriate research studies. Emphasis is placed on the development of valid and reliable research instruments, sampling procedures, data collection, and the selection of suitable statistical tools for data analysis. Students are required to interpret findings, draw meaningful conclusions, and present their work in a well-structured and coherent research report, adhering to proper citation and referencing standards. The course is supervised, enabling students to work independently while receiving academic guidance to successfully complete and present their research project.

This course introduces students to the role and significance of children’s literature in early childhood education. It explores the importance of books in supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, and language development, as well as the characteristics of quality children’s publications. The course examines the development of children’s literature across different contexts and cultures, and familiarises students with various literary forms such as stories, folktales, fairy tales, fables, biographies, poems, and riddles. Emphasis is placed on understanding how these literary forms can be used effectively to enhance learning and foster imagination in young children.

This course provides students with supervised field experience in early childhood education settings, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical teaching situations. It involves classroom observation, adaptation to real classroom environments, and guided teaching practice over a specified period. Students develop skills in lesson planning, instructional delivery, and classroom management while gaining confidence through hands-on experience. The course emphasises reflective practice, enabling students to evaluate their teaching and improve their professional competence, with support and feedback from supervisors.

This course examines health, nutrition, safety, and psychosocial well-being in early childhood (0–8 years). It equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to promote holistic child development in homes, early childhood centres, and community settings. Emphasis is placed on Nigerian contexts, public health challenges, cultural practices, and evidence-based interventions suitable for early childhood education and care (ECEC).

This course equips final-year students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to engage meaningfully with communities while developing strong social-emotional competencies. Through experiential, reflective, and digitally mediated learning, students will explore community development issues, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and participatory problem-solving within Nigerian and global contexts.

This course examines leadership principles, education policy frameworks, and advocacy strategies within the context of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Nigeria. It equips final-year students with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective leadership, analyse and influence education policies, and advocate for quality, equity, and sustainability in early childhood care and education (ECCE). Emphasis is placed on Nigeria’s socio-cultural realities, legal frameworks, global best practices, and the use of digital tools for advocacy in an open and distance learning environment.