KARIN VAN TONDER
What a week!
I am permanently employed at one of our local schools and COVID has hit our staff in full steam for the first time. I have been filling in for teacher who are in isolation for the past three weeks. Balancing studies and work has become a challenge this new semester. But, this too shall pass.
This week I was yet again reminded of the importance that the holistic development of a child plays in a classroom. To achieve this, focus was placed on the incorporation of music in the educational process. It is not always the first strategy that comes to mind, but it is a brilliant one!
I feel confident that I will be able to teach music through movement in the foundation phase. I am very aware of the gross- and fine motor movements that are essential for development amongst children. I will incorporate music into my current teaching practice in order to solidify the embedment of knowledge. This will be achieved by stimulating all of the senses. Associating a certain movement with a new topic will help learners to recall what has been learned as well as to make connection between previous and new knowledge.
If I have to choose between musical and physical education; I would hands down choose musical education. I feel that this will better meet the holistically development needs of learners in the foundation phase. This is because music can be stretched to aid every development factor of a child. Their cognitive development is stimulated by interpreting the meanings of the lyrics. They show personal development by developing a unique taste in music. They develop social by finding others who have the same musical interest as they do. They show emotional development by showing empathy towards the lyrics. And the develop physically when using dance with music.
Musical education does not only encourage holistic development, but it also teaches skills that are academically necessary. It teaches numeracy by counting the beat, language skills by broadening vocabulary, creativity by encouraging learners to create their own music, problem solving by letting them figure out what note has been played and it helps with midline crossing when dancing.
SU 3-34276696
19 Sep 2021, 16:42
The end is in sight.
The term is drawing to a close and I am finding it increasingly difficult to remain focused and motivated enough to complete my assignments with the week break lying ahead. I do, however, want to complete two of my assignments before the term ends and I am putting all of my time and energy into them.
The lack of explanation about the meaning behind the lyrics of the Zulu song could possibly cause discomfort amongst some learners. Not knowing what you are singing about can be uncomfortable and sometimes worrisome if you have strong religious values. This can also be worrisome on moral grounds as a learner could fear that the topic of the song may be unethical. Dancing infant of boys is frowned upon in some cultures as it may be seen as a sexual and inappropriate action. Therefor, some girls or even boys can feel uncomfortable with dancing infant of a group of people.
The learners were uncomfortable with not knowing what the words of the Zulu song meant as well as dancing infant of the opposite sex. In future it would be wise to always explain what a song is about if it is in a foreign language. To avoid the issue of dancing infant of the opposite sex; you can rather make two separate groups of boys and girls and give each learner a chance to dance in their same sex group.
We must always be aware of diversities in our classroom and make it our mission to include everyone in a respectful and comfortable way. We as teachers should find out what restrictions learners may have due to religions or cultures and should always make content clear.
Thank you for the insightful read, Karin. I certainly relate to your "the end is in sight" statement. I cannot wait to sit back and relax. Already thinking about sunbathing. (haha)
I would like to second your comment about dividing the learners into gender-groups. I didn't think about this option when writing my blog. It is a really clever way to still involve all learners, but in groups they feel comfortable with. How will you divide the time in order for the girls to dance separately from the boys? Will the one group be kept busy outside the classroom?
Have a wonderful week friend!
Stay safe and keep your head up!