Quingelique Ellis 35244267 

This week has been extremely busy and challenging me. I struggled with my time management and learned to plan better. I found this unit extremely interesting. 

1. The zone of proximal development is the difference in what children or any person can do without receiving assistance and what a student can achieve with guidance from a peer or adult.

2.Vygotsky was of the opinion that socio-cultural factors influences the cognitive development of students. Thus it focuses on individuals and their environments. He also believed that peers and adults play a big role in a child’s development as children learn from peers and adults. Erikson’s theory is based on the influence social interactions and relationships have on a child’s learning. When you have a relationship with your students you will understand how they learn and how to educate them more effectively. Thus you will know what their learning styles are. According to Erikson children go through a phase called industry vs. inferiority at the age of 5 to 11. During these times children need a lot of positive feedback for their accomplishments. This will allow your students to feel confident and enable them to have a good self-esteem. Piaget believed that children learn by interacting with the world around them. He was also of the opinion that children will build on existing knowledge and skills. Foundation phase learners fall in two categories namely: Pre-operation at age 2-6 and concrete operational stage at age 7 – 11. During the pre-operational stage children use symbols and images that represents an object, thus they will use a lot of drawing, playing and imitating. During the concrete operational stage children are able to think logically. It is important during these times to make work relatable for the students.

3.I have learned that it is important for students to be actively involved and be allowed to learn from their peers. Thus music will allow them to be actively involved and learn from their peers. This will also allow them to build on their prior knowledge. I think it is important to remember at what cognitive stage they are and to really understand the way they learn and think. It is important to have basic knowledge of foundation phase learners, because when they enter the school they have the ability to selectively listen. They are also able to match a pitch and they develop a sense of tone. Their gross motor skills are also developing. Having this knowledge will allow you as teacher to introduce them to instruments such as a xylophone or keyboard. Thus it is age appropriate and they will not struggle too much. If it is too difficult or not understandable they might find it boring or can cause them to not like music or playing an instrument.https://efundi.nwu.ac.za/access/content/group-user/0260eb58-ef38-4c2b-926c-18925cb51969/35244267/mind%20map.pdf

4.Some activities can be giving every child 2 small pool noodles and letting them drum on their tables to the beat of a song. Children can also learn a song such as the National Anthem or the school anthem as they can match the pitch, tone and harmony. They can also walk and stomp to a song such as “we will rock you”.

5. It is important to keep the knowledge in mind when I plan a lesson or teaching. Including students might not always be possible or it might not always be possible to allow students to learn from their peers. Thus you need to know how your students learn and then decide on the best learning theory to incorporate. I do believe to always give students the opportunity to learn from others. It is also important to include students in the lesson, this will ensure that the students do not get bored and lose interest. Thus the teaching will be effective. It is important to give students the opportunity to learn from their peers in a controlled way. Thus making sure that everyone is participating and that they talk in a positive and uplifting tone to one another.