Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

My son wants to take GCSE Child development

64 replies

ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 11:09

My son is in year 9 and has to submit his GCSE options by Monday. He's hoping to take triple science, history and psychology. He had his heart set on food tech as he loves cooking, but the school are no longer offering it and now offer hospitality and catering, which tbh sounds rubbish! He wants a career in health care/science/medicine (not totally sure but he's only 13!) so I suggested sociology or statistics. He thinks either of those with the other subjects he's chosen will be a bit full on, so I then suggested something like DT or photography, which he said he wasn't interested in as he's not creative. He now has his heart set on child development, but the teacher seemed to be trying to talk him out of it as he's a boy! I'm worried that it will be a bit of a pointless subject for him (although I get anything creative might be?) or are A levels more important for getting into university? I just think that History, Pyschology and Sociology would be better, but I don't want to push him into taking a subject he doesn't enjoy!

OP posts:
Faithsmumof3 · 19/03/2025 11:20

He should do what's best for him but go in knowing he may be the only boy.
Dc1 did health and social care at college and was the only male, (he's now at uni and the only male in his group). But it was right for him. I'd say child development would be useful if going onto health care, dc did a whole module on unders 5s. Some subjects are heavily outnumbered by one or another group. Dc3 is doing sociology (it's all girls), dc2 is doing economics and there's only 2 girls. So if that doesn't bother your son he should do what's best for his future. As a parent my worry would be is the teacher going to support him if she's trying to put him off already?

CarrotParrot · 19/03/2025 11:23

Let him take it. Not only does it fit perfectly well with someone interested in science, healthcare and medicine (paediatrics for example), we need more boys to grow into men who know that children aren't the sole responsibility of their mother. Good for him and for picking something he is interested in.

KnickerFolder · 19/03/2025 11:24

If he wants a career in medicine or science, I would strongly recommend taking statistics as he will need a good understanding of statistics for A levels and university.

But taking child development isn’t going to harm his university applications, if that is what you are concerned about? He has the essential GCSEs he needs to study medicine or sciences, he may as well choose a subject he will enjoy or find it easy to get a good grade in. Stats would be very useful but he won’t do well if he isn’t interested.

Original poster
ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 11:24

CarrotParrot · 19/03/2025 11:23

Let him take it. Not only does it fit perfectly well with someone interested in science, healthcare and medicine (paediatrics for example), we need more boys to grow into men who know that children aren't the sole responsibility of their mother. Good for him and for picking something he is interested in.

That is a really good point actually, I hadn't thought of it like that!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 11:25

Faithsmumof3 · 19/03/2025 11:20

He should do what's best for him but go in knowing he may be the only boy.
Dc1 did health and social care at college and was the only male, (he's now at uni and the only male in his group). But it was right for him. I'd say child development would be useful if going onto health care, dc did a whole module on unders 5s. Some subjects are heavily outnumbered by one or another group. Dc3 is doing sociology (it's all girls), dc2 is doing economics and there's only 2 girls. So if that doesn't bother your son he should do what's best for his future. As a parent my worry would be is the teacher going to support him if she's trying to put him off already?

I don't think that would actually bother him, he doesn't have any male friends and he hangs around with girls. He much prefers their company 😀

OP posts:
caramac04 · 19/03/2025 11:26

Probably the best teacher I’ve ever worked with - in a PRU - took that route. His understanding of development made a massive difference to our practice and made for a better environment for the kids.
Being make doesn’t make him unsuitable for this learning and if he’s interested then he’s likely to enjoy it and do well.

Original poster
ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 11:27

KnickerFolder · 19/03/2025 11:24

If he wants a career in medicine or science, I would strongly recommend taking statistics as he will need a good understanding of statistics for A levels and university.

But taking child development isn’t going to harm his university applications, if that is what you are concerned about? He has the essential GCSEs he needs to study medicine or sciences, he may as well choose a subject he will enjoy or find it easy to get a good grade in. Stats would be very useful but he won’t do well if he isn’t interested.

Yes I'm not worried about him wanting to take it, just concerned when he applies for university (seems a long way off though!)

OP posts:
BeaAndBen · 19/03/2025 11:28

They will care about his core GCSEs and his A-levels.

They are unlikely to give a stuff whether he did Geography, Child Development or Marsupial Studies as an option.

KnickerFolder · 19/03/2025 11:45

No university will care whether he has child development GCSE or sociology GCSE, as long as he has the right grades and core subjects he needs. Statistics would be very useful though. He’ll need to study it at some point as part of his A levels/degree. It will not make any difference to university applications though.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/03/2025 12:34

I wish I’d done child development rather than German, which I failed. But I still became a paediatric nurse without it. But it would have been useful.

Iloveanicegarden · 19/03/2025 12:42

Given that there are so many stories about feckless fathers and the rise of single mothers I think Child Development should be at the centre of the curriculum. Most people will be parents at some point and understanding how children develop is so important

Chunkilumptious · 19/03/2025 12:53

Stats would be really useful for medicine (and anything scientific) but if he wouldn't enjoy it at this stage then child development would definitely make a lot of sense too. It might help give him something interesting to talk about at interview if he looks into current research and keeps a few notes. It's not a good reason not to do it, being the only boy. He just needs to see it through knowing that's likely to be the case from the start.

Chunkilumptious · 19/03/2025 12:56

I wouldn't particularly push him into a creative subject if he isn't interested and it isn't a strength. I'm all for creativity and not narrowing down too soon but they are quite time consuming and if he's already got some idea what he wants then I'm not sure what photography will add. If he develops an interest later he can learn it as a hobby or at A level

fashionqueen0123 · 19/03/2025 12:58

ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 11:24

That is a really good point actually, I hadn't thought of it like that!

Show quote history

I agree with this. I did it for GCSE and it would be good if all teens had to do it! Teaches them about pregnancy, child health, their development and loads of things!

lavenderlou · 19/03/2025 12:58

My DD is doing this as a BTEC. It wasn't my first choice but she's doing really well in it. He will still have his core GCSE subjects so give him some choice where he can.

NeedSomeComfy · 19/03/2025 12:59

What a shame that at GCSE, which is maybe the last time in your life where you are actively encouraged to take a wide range of subjects to (hopefully) become a well rounded person with diverse interests and understandings, that you are so focused on what will be 'useful' for his future. I can't believe that you describe a creative subject as pointless! Honestly, let the lad poor choose what he loves and is interested in. Even (shock horror) healthcare and science professionals are allowed to have other interests too.

QuickPeachPoet · 19/03/2025 13:12

I had a male friend who always wanted to work in early childhood (may not be the case for your son). He now runs a nursery. The children love him. He plays 3 musical instruments which really commands the room, does sport with them. Sadly it is too far from us or I would have sent my kids there no problem.

Original poster
ThePandoricaOpens · 19/03/2025 13:16

NeedSomeComfy · 19/03/2025 12:59

What a shame that at GCSE, which is maybe the last time in your life where you are actively encouraged to take a wide range of subjects to (hopefully) become a well rounded person with diverse interests and understandings, that you are so focused on what will be 'useful' for his future. I can't believe that you describe a creative subject as pointless! Honestly, let the lad poor choose what he loves and is interested in. Even (shock horror) healthcare and science professionals are allowed to have other interests too.

I think you've taken my post in the wrong way. I didn't mean 'pointless' I'm a graphic designer so took mainly creative subjects. I actually think creative subjects are really important. What I should have said is that I don't think they'll be useful for a future career in what he wants to do! I want hhim to choose what he wants and be happy and in no way would I force him into something he won't enjoy

OP posts:
Esperanza25 · 19/03/2025 13:18

Yes, absolutely he should take child development if he wants to! I’ve worked in a high school and have seen boys take child development, though greatly outnumbered by girls.
It sounds like it will fit in really well if he does indeed go on to work in healthcare/ social care / medicine.
Am very surprised that the teacher is trying to talk him out of it. It’s not a waste at all, it’s a very interesting subject and I think your son is right in wanting to have one subject that’s less full on.

MadKittenWoman · 19/03/2025 13:25

DH is a retired senior lecturer in Psychology at an RG University and was involved in admissions. this is what he thinks:

All the above comments have validity - it’s a multidimensional issue. Bottom line is do well in core subjects and carefully check what the A-level requirements are for chosen degree. As long as core stuff is covered at GCSE then A-level grades for chosen degree are the most important. Most disciplines need you to be able to communicate effectively (both written and spoken), so anything where these skills are developed is good. Many universities no longer do interviews, so what’s on paper counts. Keeping options open is always a good choice, but ultimately a decision has to be made! Child psychology will be covered in Psychology - so can be seen as repetitive or supporting the core. It might even be the topic that cements or disengaged interest. For the chosen subjects, having good numeracy and literacy skills is a must. Many of the degrees interested in are female dominated (e.g., psychology is typically 70% women), but the BPS (British Psychological Society) is working hard to change the perception of the subject at school level. Statistics would be great to strengthen numerical skills but won’t provide the essay-based skills which Child Psychology would. The only thing that matters is the grades.

Hope that helps!

KnickerFolder · 19/03/2025 13:30

Are you sure that the teacher is discouraging him because he is a boy? Shocking if that is true. DS’s GF hated her textiles class because a lot of disruptive kids chose it because they thought it was an easy option and they could mess around.

CrispieCake · 19/03/2025 13:46

Good for him. He might end up in the minority of fathers who actually take an interest in their children's development and are prepared to share the load equally to give them the best possible start in life.

Cookiedough123 · 19/03/2025 13:47

Do you know whether the course is Cambridge national or Btec? As they are both a little different. The Cambridge national includes a lot about anatomy, contraception, childbirth etc for the exam. I played a childbirth video also to my pupils. It then has coursework about a nursery setting and child development between specific ages. It actually does make the course much more interesting than the BTEC which is mainly about child development/skills etc. It is worth looking at both specifications which are easily available online to see what topics will be taught to see if they interest him.

KnickerFolder · 19/03/2025 13:51

MadKittenWoman · 19/03/2025 13:25

DH is a retired senior lecturer in Psychology at an RG University and was involved in admissions. this is what he thinks:

All the above comments have validity - it’s a multidimensional issue. Bottom line is do well in core subjects and carefully check what the A-level requirements are for chosen degree. As long as core stuff is covered at GCSE then A-level grades for chosen degree are the most important. Most disciplines need you to be able to communicate effectively (both written and spoken), so anything where these skills are developed is good. Many universities no longer do interviews, so what’s on paper counts. Keeping options open is always a good choice, but ultimately a decision has to be made! Child psychology will be covered in Psychology - so can be seen as repetitive or supporting the core. It might even be the topic that cements or disengaged interest. For the chosen subjects, having good numeracy and literacy skills is a must. Many of the degrees interested in are female dominated (e.g., psychology is typically 70% women), but the BPS (British Psychological Society) is working hard to change the perception of the subject at school level. Statistics would be great to strengthen numerical skills but won’t provide the essay-based skills which Child Psychology would. The only thing that matters is the grades.

Hope that helps!

Good advice but I would add that your DS has chosen 2 essay based subjects already (psychology and history) so essay writing skills are already covered. I wouldn’t choose another essay based subject purely for the reason of essay writing skills being useful. Is he taking English Lit or RS as core subjects? They are also essay based, as is sociology.

Carryonlaughing · 19/03/2025 13:51

I’d say let him take it, what if you prevented it and he always regretted it? I took it in 1995 and it got me onto a health and social care NVQ as a result, after that I’ve enjoyed an amazing career in nursing and Midwifery- 20 years now as a midwife, and I don’t regret my choice (Dad was very against it at the time). Let them make their own path, there’s so much he can use it for if not nursing.