Unit 1; QUESTIONS!

Hey bloggers, so this is just my interpretation of unit 1.

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

What I understand from the zone of proximal development is that students are capable of completing any given task, however this is where the aspect of guided practice comes into the situation, supervision coming from a guided adult such as a teacher or parent. In the zone of proximal development, it is or paramount importance that individuals realise, that there are also stages of proximal development. There are three distinct phases.

Number 1

There are tasks that child cannot complete, reasons being the task may be too difficult for the child to complete, in stances like this the adult or parent is required to decrease the complexity of the task, in order to allow the child to complete the task.

Number 2.

The child is able to complete the task with the assistance of a teacher or parent, this scenario is of their proximal development, which means in it within their cognitive and social ability to complete the task.

Number 3.

The learner can complete the task without any assistance, whatsoever, the child in this stage is developed holistically and attains a sense of independence holistically

These are also some aspects that Vygotsky pointed out.

• Social interaction enables a student to explore their talents and abilities.
• It is or paramount importance to allow a skilled individual to guide learners through the process of learning
• Mixed ability activities are also recommended in order to facilitate guided help from students who have a higher cognitive development.

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

ERIKSON- Erikson stated that a strong sense of individuality and perception is off paramount importance in the life of a child.

PIAGET-  Focus on the 4 strategic stages  ,sensorimotor intelligence, preoperational thinking, concrete operational thinking, and formal operational thinking.  Piaget believed that all children pass through these phases from birth to adolense.

VYGOTSKY- States that social interaction is of paramount importance to the cognitive development of a child

2. 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.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

COGNITIVE DEVOPLMENT

MATHEMATICAL GROWTH

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

EMOTIONAL- DVELOPMENT

SENSORY DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Increased self-awareness

LANGUAGE  GROWTH

THE ABILITY TO CONNECTT

MOTOR SKILLS

 

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

Teachers in the foundation phase need to be fully aware of the of the music elements and music development because without us teachers, having sound knowledge of music development we will not be able to teach to our full capacity, as we all know the many benefits that come along with music, it would really be a shame if  a teacher is unable to successfully transfer the basic knowledge of music to the children

4. 5. create suggestions for music activities which will support the various developmental areas of foundation phase learners (see Music and the holistic development of foundation phase learners). Formulate at least three music activities that could support and promote each developmental area.
5. Sing along to the music playing on the audio base,
5. Being able to manipulate pitch and tone.
5. Incorporating dance into a lesson,
5. Using a song to learn a new concept, be it maths, language, or life skills.
5. Using music as a way to aid memorisation, etc. turn new concepts. Bodmas. Parts of speech etc.

1. 6. Write a short critique about the implications of knowledge about learning theories such as those of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky with regards to the way in which this knowledge informs your teaching approach as well as the way you approach activity planning.

 Vygotsky- Implies that is of no use to teach a child a task that a child cannot perform, and it is also of no use in teaching a child to do a task that they can already complete by themselves. His theory is based on the mere fact that teaching and learning should be done on a guidance practice stage, with explicit and implicit questioning and social interactions. Vygotsky also places emphasis on scaffolding which means that teachers should gradually increase the difficulty of tasks as students go through the learning process.

Piaget- From my personal opinion , I do not agree with Piaget simply because all children cannot be classified into those stages, I believe each child is different and each child develops at their own pace, some may reach certain aspects faster than others, and others might reach that same stage at a slower pace, but that does not determined the intellect of the child.

Erikson- Enables us as teachers to ensure that self- individuality activities are created, and to help build strong lasting relationships, between teachers and learners in the learning environment, and ultimately, build emotionally strong children for the future, I personally agree with his statement “A child who is confident in himself in a confident in every aspect of living”.

Please free to comment and make suggestions.

Bye bye.