When I compare my knowledge, skills, experiences, abilities and attitude towards music education from the start of the semester to the end of the semester. I say that I have learned a lot, in terms of knowledge I learners that you can pay music with your whole body, children use their bodies to perform a song or make sounds (body percussion) which develops a child’s eurhythmic and motor skills. I myself also took part and learned how make sounds with different body parts which was fun.  In terms of Skills I learned how to make music instruments with recycled material and last I’ve learned  about different music concepts,  how they work and how they differ from each other. My attitude toward music concept have changed  am more interested in learning more.

What I have learned from my individual reflections is that I can reflect that I have learned and what I need to read more or learn more.

What I found challenging is that some concepts especially music concepts were difficult to understand and to do especially the music game.

Yes I found individual reflections meaningful? Because I could see which topics I understood more and which concepts I needed to read more and focus on

What I would change or could change is the lecture should give us more work on music concepts so that we have a better understanding of it, so that it will be easy for us to do when we are in the work field and also have more virtual lesson were the lecture plays music and explains more, because I really enjoy the music education and concepts

What i found interesting and meaningful in the LSKM221 module, is that modules or subjects like this are underestimated and are not seen as important like mathematics or science but this module is important in terms of a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development. It teachers them to express themselves in many ways through art.

What challenged me is the music education or music concepts, I still don’t understand how to explain or do some of the activities.

What i found valuable for my future teaching practice is that I should have a positive attitude towards this subject and make sure I understand all the theories and concepts of this module because it will make teaching and my life easier

What could the possible reasons be that assessment is neglected in Performing Arts and Music in the Foundation Phase?

most people regard art in education as a luxury and don't see the importance of it, they don't think that creative activities like painting, dancing or learning how to play music is important. these activity helps  a child develop motor skills, language and cognitive development. Mathematics, languages or science are not the only subjects that should be give attention art should be given as much attention as other subjects

explain how you would advocate for and heighten awareness about the importance of assessment when speaking with your HOD about your concerns in this regard.

I would show the HOD the results and researches from other school how art has improved the learners language, when learners make art or just talk about it provides opportunities to learn words for colors, shapes and actions. In Foundation Phase children can use descriptive words to discuss their own creations. It will help develop their decision making,  strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices when creating a piece of art carries over into other parts of life. If they are exploring and thinking and experimenting and trying new ideas, then creativity has a chance to blossom. It will improve their academic performance children  who participate regularly in the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to  participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate. Art does not only improve all the things but it also improve a child's mood and reduce chance of depression.

Art integration is an approach to teaching in which learners construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Learners engage in a creative process which connects an art from and another subject and meet evolving objects.

This approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that learning is actively built, experiential , evolving, collaboration, problem-solving and reflective. 

Art integration provide multiple ways for learners to make sense of what they learn(construct understanding) and make their learning visible (demonstrate understanding).

Working in the arts helps learners to develop creative problem-solving skills, Teaching through the arts can presents difficult concepts visually, making them more easy to understand, Integrating art with other disciplines reaches learners who might not otherwise be engaged in classwork, Art experiences boost critical thinking, teaching learners to take the time to be more careful and through in how they observe the world and lastly, Working in the arts helps learners to develop creative problem- solving skills.

what did you find art integration interesting? 

I Find art integration interesting because it promote active engagement in teaching and learning activities, experiential learning, authentic learning activities, collaborative, problem solving skills and reflection. It also promote active learning experiences through which foundation phase learners can internalize new knowledge and skills by engaging in authentic activities which have real life value.

However, arts integration provides teachers with the opportunity to promote and support the developmental needs of learners while offering learners the opportunity to engage in teaching and learning activities which are fun, fosters collaboration and connection and promotes learner's innate curiosity, creativity and imaginative abilities. Furthermore, arts integration enable foundation phase learners to develop their problem solving and critical thinking skills through engagement in authentic learning activities which foster the ability to become aware of the various ways in which they are not only connected to each other but our world while drawing attention to the ways in which the various subject s in our curriculum are connected.

What did you find art integration challenging?

Music educators often find arts integration to be challenging because it requires a great deal of time, necessitates collaboration with other teachers and can unfortunately promotes collaboration with other teachers and can unfortunately be bias of one subject over another. Learners find it difficult to interact with art hence there must be a seamless integration of two or more subjects and that both subject must be experienced and engaged with the same time within an activity. 

However, learners often struggle to differentiate between aspects of music integration/development through teaching and learning, these aspects are too confusing for foundation phase learners. For instance, Teaching and learning about music is when a learner listen to a song and determine whether the tempo or  dynamic of the song, so in that learners may be confused of the different music concepts and struggle to identify the dynamic of the song whether it is a tempo, timbre, Beat with movement etc. Also it is often difficult for foundation phase learners to understand .

Play is prominent in different African cultures and the over-all African context, where we frequently discover elements of play when people engage with music and dance activities. There are three types of play in children’s culture, namely tradition, open and original play. It is very important for learners to engage in teaching and learning activities which include principles of play because they are able to develop holistically through engagement in authentic, meaningful activities. Through play, foundation phase learners develop cognitively by developing their problem-solving skills and learn about cause and effect while also experiencing cognitive growth.

Characteristics of musical playPlay is personally motivated

Play is active

Play is often nonliteral

Play has no extrinsic goals

Players supply meaning to the play

Play has no extrinsic rules

Play in the classroom has several important contributions:

A sense of belonging and cohesion are enforced

Group and individual discipline are created in a “friendly” playful environment

Group and individual discipline are created in a “friendly” playful environment

Musical play gives the child the opportunity to undergo an imaginative transformation

Play provides an emotional outlet within the sense of communal belonging.

 

 

Seven elements of play

A.Play involves a state of mind and disposition

1. Play contains elements of surprise and challenge
2. Play involves a process, attitude, and structure
3. Play is voluntary and unifying, forming part of the socialising process
4. Play involves aesthetic quality judgement by participants
5. Play creates informal space for socio-historical comment
6. Play reinforces societal roles

Learning and Playing music emphasis:

●Passion music inspires children to express themselves more undoubtedly by allowing them to link with their feelings.

●Determination being able to perfect a tricky piece of music gives learners a sense of achievement and encourages them to take more difficult tests.

●Increased coordination playing and dancing to music helps children develop their motor skills.

●Social skills making music with others assists children develop social and emotional abilities.

This study give me a different perspective of being a teacher including ways to deliver a contend. I was introduced to music concepts, i know that music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words.

Mathematics: musical elements such as steady beat, rhythm, melody, and tempo possess inher- ent mathematical principles such as spatial properties, sequencing, counting, patterning, and one-to-one correspondence. Using musical activities to teach math will make learning more appealing and enjoyable for kids, and at the same time, it will improve their creative thinking and innovation. It can also help introverted and insecure kids come out of their shell.

Language: Music can help kids to retain words and expressions much more effectively. The rhythm of the music, as well as the repetitive patterns within the song, help kids memorize words. Bilingual children, in particular, can benefit from singing songs in their second language.

I completed the first study unit, which focused on holistic development and music.
I've discovered that holistic development is a learning strategy that stresses the importance of children's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, particularly in their early years. Physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual aspects are all separated into five categories.

And I learned that music is vital in the foundation level since it aids learners in remembering and recognizing previously heard sounds and sound patterns and It helps the body and the mind work together.