Part 1:

This week has been good. Last weekend I was able to submit 3 assignments and I submitted my big Work Integrated Learning group assignment today, which has lightened my workload tremendously. I already feel a lot more relaxed and ready to focus on the last couple of tasks and assignments before the end of the semester. Things at work are also starting to slow down. 2 more weeks and then we have 1 week of holiday. I am excited to rest, but also to use the time to work on some assignments. My training and preparation for a 4-day stage race in November is also going well, I’ve managed to do some longer runs over consecutive days and so I’m feeling a bit more prepared, which is taking away from my added pressure.

Part 2:

I have always been a strong believer in the power of learning through play for smaller children. I know how important it is for the cognitive development, how it teaches them social skills, problem solving, it broadens their imagination and creativity. However, I didn’t realize how specific play can be in terms of the different kinds of play, and the different levels of play. I also really enjoyed the examples of ways in which music can be incorporated into play.

Part 3:

Some learners may have been very shy to dance in the middle of a circle with so many people watching them. Some may have not enjoyed the fact that the song was in a language that they could not understand. The fact that the song was about fathers bring gifts home could have even been a sensitive topic for learners who maybe don’t have a father at all.

One learner’s religious belief clashed with the music, and another learner felt uncomfortable because he could not understand the song because it was in Zulu.

To ensure that all the learners feel comfortable enough to dance, you could maybe allow them to choose their own groups to dance with. They will naturally gravitate towards their friends and people who they feel comfortable with. As for the language barrier, the teacher could maybe go through the lyrics in the beginning and translate them so that the learners have a better idea of what they are singing.

We always need to consider learners cultures, family background and home situations, and languages.