I’m feeling okay; my week was rough because I attended my Uncle’s funeral?  I was busy assisting my cousin with funeral arrangements so I did not have enough time to study. 

I learned that introducing music notation too early to children is not recommended as it needs them to have abstract thinking skills.  I never imagined this before. 

1. Explain your understanding of Vygotsky’s Zone of proximal development

I understand Vygotsky’s Zone of proximal development as a theory that explains that children develop when they experience a challenge that is above their level of understanding.   Development does not happen when children practice the skills that they have learned recently.  Zone of proximal development gives an understanding of child’s development process.  Learners can complete activities on their own; they can complete activities with assistant of teacher or fellow learners. 

2.  Summary of important aspects of the learning theories of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky

Erikson:  Children rely on feedback from their peers, teachers and parents to feel proud and to develop self-confidence.  As a foundation phase teacher my role is to be a confidence booster of the children, never demoralise but guide and lead them well.  It is said that the foundation is not solid the building will crumble.  For us to have confident leaders and citizens we have to have foundation phase teachers who understand that children are like flowers therefore they need water to grow, so a teacher should be a safe place of a kid. 

Piaget:  Children think differently from adults.  Foundation phase learners fall under pre-operational stage where they are still very much egocentric.  (Assuming that others share their point of view)  They also fall under concrete operational stage.  They are able to think logically about concrete events.  Music notation should not be introduced too early because it needs abstract thinking skills.  Children in this stage are less egocentric.   

Vygotsky:  Emphasises the importance of reciprocal teaching which is an activity that takes a form of a dialogue between teacher and learners.  Learners are given the confidence to take responsibility of their won learning.  It aims all creating self-directed learning.  This theory emphasises the importance of social interaction and language development.    

3.  Physical development, Cognitive development, Social development, Personal development and Emotional development. 

 

4. Why is it important to have basic knowledge about the musical development of foundation phase learners?  If teacher knows the different stages of a child development, she may be able to diagnose or pick up if a child struggles to understand something, or if a child needs additional help.  She will assess the children accordingly.