Good day everyone These are questions I have managed to answer while I was busy studying study unit 1, I am looking forward to learn more about the LSKM. 

1. Explain your understanding of Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development.

• It is the difference between a child’s actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the child’s potential development as determined through problem solving under the teacher’s guidance or with peers by means of scaffolding.

2. Summarise the most important aspects of the learning theories of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky for your teaching practice as foundation phase teacher.

• Erikson -  A foundation Phase Teacher play an Important role in learners lives by providing  them with enough extrinsic motivation which includes the praising or rewarding of  the good behaviour and encourage them so that they can develop the feelings of competence, improving  their self-esteem and confidence.
• Piaget - It is very important to link the already exiting knowledge with the new knowledge and give them the opportunity to interact with other learners because they learn effectively when they are with others and also have in mind that foundation phase learners think differently from adults so it is important to think the same way they din order to be in the same page with them.
• Vykotsky – As it stated the social interaction is fundamental to cognitive development.  So m role here as a foundation phase teacher is to identify or analyse the learner’s educational readiness and provide an environment where these needs would be met.

3.  Reflect on your newly gained knowledge of learning theories and holistic development and create a mind map in which you outline the most important aspects of holistic development in the foundation phase.

• By learning theories I have gained a lot which includes the knowledge of that learners learn effectively when they are interacting and the most important thing is to maintain the positive relationship in the classroom as well as the importance of the socio-cultural theory of cognitive development.   The holistic learning permits learners to develop strong internal value and confidence because their whole being is considered during the learning process.

Mind Map

a) Physical development – dancing to music helps learners to build a fine motor skills and a healthy living style.

b) Cognitive development – when children singing a music it helps them improve their vocabulary – increases the attentiveness, multitasking and develop numerical and literacy skills.

c) Emotional development – Music activities helps learners to identify and express their emotions, by doing so they will be able to be sensitive or respect the emotions of others.

d) Personal development – Music activities allows learners to develop their personality, self-esteem, confidence and identity by participating with others, creating their own instruments which also increase their creative abilities.

e) Social development – music activities such as singing in groups, playing and moving together allows learners to build a positive relationship among them which also promotes the good behaviours and communication skills.

4. Why is it important to have basic knowledge about the musical development of foundation phase learners?

• Music lighten up all the areas of child development and skills for school readiness such as intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language and overall literacy.  It assists the body and mind to work together. Exposing learners to music at early ages assist them to learn the sounds and meanings of words.