7–10Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus (2025)

The Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Child Studies 200-hour elective
• Child Studies 100-hour elective
• Child Studies Life Skills 200-hour elective
• Child Studies Life Skills 100-hour elective.

The Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus enables students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to understand the complex nature of child development and how the growth, development and care of children can be supported. Students develop the ability to research and evaluate information to make informed decisions about strategies to support children from birth to 12 years of age.

Students learn about the multidimensional nature of children’s development from birth to 12 years of age. They develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to and support the growth, development and care of children and how these can be further promoted. They develop an understanding of how to support the health and safety of children, and how play and learning supports children’s development. Students have the opportunity to learn about the importance of children's first 5 years of life, early childhood education and care, mental health and wellbeing and the experiences of children globally.

Students learn about the diverse needs of children and the strategies and services that support children’s development, with a focus on how government agencies, services and community organisations contribute to keep children safe. Students learn the importance of culture in a child’s development, including gaining a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Knowledges, histories and Cultures. They learn about the rights of children and the importance of children’s participation in decisions that impact them and the society in which they live and grow. Students are provided with the opportunity to develop their research, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Safety and risk management

Schools are required to ensure they follow Loading  in delivering the Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus.

Child Studies 7–10 may be studied as a 100-hour or a 200-hour course. The content for Stage 4 is identical to that for Stage 5. When teaching the course in Stage 4, the Stage 5 outcomes may be adjusted as appropriate for the needs of students in Years 7 and 8. Loading .

100-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to undertake:

• 2 core focus areas
• at least one option to meet the 100-hour requirement
• one depth study.

200-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to undertake:

• all 4 core focus areas
• at least 2 options to meet the 200-hour requirement
• 2 depth studies.

Across a 100-hour course or a 200-hour Stage 5 course, students may study only ONE school-developed option.

Depth study

Students are required to undertake a depth study in the 100-hour and 200-hour courses. Students draw on content studied in class to consolidate, deepen or apply their knowledge and understanding of one or more focus areas. Depth studies may be completed individually or collaboratively.

Guidelines for depth study:

• The recommended class time is 8 to 10 hours.

A Child Studies depth study may include:

• practical inquiries
• secondary-source investigations
• presentations, research assignments or fieldwork reports.

Focus areas (core)

• Growth, development and care
• Promoting growth and development
• Health and safety of children
• Play and learning

Focus areas (options)

• Birth to 5 years
• Early childhood education and care
• The mental health and wellbeing of children
• Children globally
• School-developed option

For Child Studies Life Skills:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Child Studies 7–10 Life Skills outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Child Studies 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.
• Depth studies may be undertaken if appropriate to the needs, interests and abilities of students. Depth studies may be completed individually or collaboratively.