This subject is designed to facilitate students to develop the dispositions and critical skills to create learning communities that are academically challenging, developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive. The subject highlights how the inherent qualities of a child and their environmental systems interact to influence how they grow, develop and learn. It develops students' knowledge of the ways in which children's development is embedded in context to inform their instructional strategies. It examines a body of classic and current theories, research and practice relating to the cognitive, physiological, and social/emotional needs of children and the relevance of these for classroom practice. Particular emphasis is given to developing responsive teaching practices which promote social and emotional wellbeing of children and are underpinned by high-quality relationships which extend to include the valuing of families and the wider community.