Good afternoon NWU family

 Welcome to my LSKM 221 blog posts.

So far, my week has been busy, busy like a bee. Balancing working with little kids for 5 days a week and studying online keeps me on my toes all day. What has motivated and inhibited me this week is the idea of grasping as well as learning more and more each day which will also help benefit myself and the kids that I interact with on a daily. 

Whilst working through this study unit, I learnt about each of the developmental theories by Vygotsky, Piaget as well as Erikson. All their learning theories have a different viewpoint which is what has stood out for me. Their learning theories go into detail which is what has really stood out for me whilst reading through and engaging in study unit 1. Whilst engaging in this unit I personally felt like Paget’s developmental theory is the most practical theory which relates to music more. He believed that children learn by interacting with the world and build their knowledge based on prior knowledge and skills. With the changing music industry, children are exposed as well as connect with the different types of genres of music which helps them build a sense of belonging as well as helps them find themselves and find what interest them as well as helps identify their personalities and it is also a way to connect with others and the world around them.

1.    Describe your confidence in your current knowledge and skills to teach music through movement in the Foundation Phase as you start your LSKM 221 journey?

I would describe my confidence in my current knowledge and skills to teach music through movement as extremely good as I enjoy being active which I personally feel is also a great way to keep my mind going throughout the day. Movements help in many ways which is why I feel movement is an important factor when it comes to music which helps learners expose and practice their balance, coordination, gross motor skills and bodily awareness. My passion has always been exercising and movement of the body which not only helps to keep fit but also helps with mental health and awareness. I plan on integrating movement as well as MUSIC into my teaching practice by implementing activities whereby children will do movement activities such as taking a walk/jog around the school playgrounds whilst singing a song which allows learners to also get the opportunity to get in touch with nature whilst practising bodily awareness, movement as well as music development.

2.    If you have to choose between incorporating Music education OR Physical education in the Foundation Phase curriculum to meet the holistic development needs of learners, which would you choose? 

In my opinion, to best suit my learner’s needs and help them build positive connections with music and its benefits in the classroom environment, I would choose MUSIC EDUCATION.  Music helps learners in many ways such as brightening up their mood, by singing songs or listening to songs and certain beats will help learners express their emotions as well as find ways to deal with certain things. Music helps learners to build positive connections with others as well as find out more about themselves and personality as to what interests them as well as builds up their confidence in the classroom.  In my classroom, I feel music education would be best as music helps learners feel a sense of belonging and they are able to feel free whilst singing. Music will also help learners become more creative as it opens their minds and they are able to discover so much more just through singing and engaging in different music activities with the use of different instruments etc. Music with instruments helps build learners cognitive skills. With incorporating music in my class learners will be able have positive attitudes and be more active in the classroom.