THE VALUE OF MUSIC FOR THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF FOUNDATION PHASE LEARNERS!
Wow!
What a LONG
week it was.
I always try to keep myself motivated and positive but this week I felt overwhelmed, stressed and behind with my studies. Why?
I am very
hard on myself, for instance if I don’t keep up with my planning or get
distinctions, I will doubt myself and feel that I am not capable of doing it, but
I came to the realization in this very difficult time for every one of us that
family, friends, health, etc. are much more important than distinctions… and I’m
sure my boss one day won’t look at my distinctions but at my certificate I
received. Therefore, I really try to focus on finding BALANCE in my life.
It is time
to enjoy life while we can with our loved ones, because we never know how long
they will be with us.
Study
unit 1:
The value
of music for the holistic development of foundation phase learners, made me
realise how astonishing it is that I developed a sense for music at the age of five.
It was interesting for me to learn that when learners enter the school they
already developed to selectively listened and directed listening increases
on-task behaviour and listening duration (Sims, 2005; Werner, 2007),
which is an extremely important development for children to focus on specific
musical aspects. It is amazing that children at the age of 6-7 not only have a
vocal range of one octave with all its steps (Gembris, 2006), but also can-do
note-reading (Kenney, 1997).
Foundation phase also focuses on the mastering of the
following musical skills/concepts which includes, response to sound and music,
pitch, tonality, harmony, rhythm, movement abilities, and instrument
performance skills by the learners.
Music plays an enormous role in the holistic development of
children/learners, which includes the physical development, cognitive
development, social development, personal development, and emotional
development. I also became
aware that music is important in a child’s life because it plays a key role
in the improvement of the child’s gross motor skills, fine motor skills,
midline crossing, hand-eye coordination, and balance. Music proved
itself that it is a big part of a child’s live and that children develop
through music, because they can relate to music most of the times. As a 21-year-old
I still go back to music, especially gospel music, when I go through challenging
times or when I just feel grateful or at peace.
I also became aware of how the different learning theories can
be applied to the teaching of musical skills and development, which includes
Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, Piaget’s cognitive development
theory, and Vygotsky, and the zone of proximal development.
My confidence of my current knowledge and skills of teaching
music through movement in the Foundation Phase did increase from the beginning
of the week just before I started with this study unit, but there is always room
for improvement and you are never too old to learn. I believe that I will
incorporate music into my teaching practise, but it will only be a few musical
activities until I became more confident in my musical abilities.
I would choose to incorporate music education in the
Foundation Phase curriculum as it will meet the holistic development needs of
the learners. Music education promotes the learner’s literacy and numeracy
skills and sharpen their multitasking, attentiveness, and creativity. The learners
will also learn through music how to focus simultaneously and concentrate on
multiple tasks, and it is crucial for the learner’s development as it will
assist the learners in developing social skills, have an impact on their
academic performance and provide them with an outlet of creativity.
Music has a lasting impact on learners, and therefore I will
most definitely choose music education in my teaching practises.
Until the next blog, Bloggers!
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