Hi bloggers , 

 

How are you guys doing? I hope you are doing well and keeping safe. So far my weekend and start to a new week has been good . I’m slowly learning how to manage and balance my time with work and studies. It feels really good because now I can at least have 1 or 2 days break from university work as I am completing all my tasks timeously.  Although I am still feeling the after effects of contracting COVID 19 with feeling extremely tired, but this too shall pass.

After engaging in study unit 4 I realised the importance of art. I know art brings out the best in learners in brings positivity to learners as well as helps learners identify their creative side. Art can be integrated in both Mathematics and English as well. I know from my own personal experiences, art brings calmness to learners and helps learners pay more attention to what they are putting their time and effort into in the classroom environment. Art helps learners in many ways as it helps their mind run wild which helps in brain stimulation which is of vital importance.

I found this study unit extremely interesting because I enjoy art and love seeing how creative learners can be in the classroom when doing different art activities, their excitement when engaging in art brings such a positive and enthusiastic aura to the classroom environment. 

To answer the following questions:

1. Some people might say that arts integration is a waste of time in Foundation Phase education. Please explain how you would respond to such a statement by explaining your view on arts integration in the Foundation Phase.

I totally disagree with this statement. Art helps develop many abilities within a learner such as developing creative problem solving skills which is a very important skill to have. Art helps bring calmness as well as excitement for learners in the classroom. Art helps develop independence as well as sense of ownership within learners which is an extremely important skill to have and develop, which is why I disagree with the above statement as arts integration is a waste of time. Art integration helps learners express themselves and what they have learnt in the classroom through different art forms. By integrating arts in the classroom, it helps identify as well as reveals learners potential such as hidden talents or creativity. I believe that art helps develop collaborative skills which in turns helps learners develop good social skills amongst each other. I also believe that art nurtures children to be inventiveness as it engages the child in a process that helps in the development of self-esteem, self-motivation, self-discipline and cooperation. Working cooperatively helps learners build patience to produce creative arts in the classroom. Integrating arts allows for learners to use their imagination and just run wild with all the creative ideas that come to mind . From my own personal experience, I love witnessing the joy from my learners in the classroom when engaging in art whether it is just cutting paper, colouring or drawing it brings such excitement to them and helps them in many ways, it helps bring out their CREATIVE SIDE which sometimes may surprise them as well as they realize how much potential they have which encourages them to continue doing their best in the classroom.

2. Which aspects of study unit 4 did you find the most interesting and challenging?  Please use the following prompts to reflect on your experience:

• What did you find interesting? Please explain why.

Whilst engaging in su4, I found the examples and strategies to integrate arts in the classroom as it listed very creative and innovative ideas that can be used in the classroom with many different objects as well for different subjects such as maths which include counting which in turn can also develop and improve learners mathematical abilities, etc.  

• What did you find challenging? Please explain why.

Whilst reading through all the units in study unit 4, I learnt many different ways to integrate music and arts in the classroom. I personally did not find anything challenging as it well set out and explained in detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this study unit. It brought a greater understanding to me about how to integrate arts in the classroom environment and the many ways in which it can be taught.

Until next time bloggers ,

have a blissful week and amazing long weekend, keep safe .