Assessment comprises an integral part of teachers' classroom practices, and its effective use has the potential to significantly improve learning and learner performance. However, if they are to successfully attend to the various learning needs of all children, teachers must be adequately knowledgeable and competent to use assessment for both collective and formative purposes. The effective use of assessment for identifying and addressing specific learner needs is especially relevant during the foundation phase of schooling as children begin to further develop and enhance their cognitive and affective capacities for learning new knowledge and skills, thereby establishing a foundation for future development.

Some of the teachers might face challenges and this includes; lack of knowledge and skills about the curriculum requirements, lack of time to prepare music lessons, not enough time in the teaching day, lack of priority for music, lack of personal musical experience and lack of adequate resources.

Good day everyone.

My name is Chandré McPherson, and I am 28 years old. 

I am from Potchefstroom and currently work as an assistant at a private school, and my passion most definitely lies by working with children.

I’ve been very clueless about these blogs thing, not always easy working a full time job and still studying. But this is my understanding about music in foundation phase.

I’m currently assisting in a grade 2 learning centre. So what the teacher will do is, while kids work quietly, she play some music softly in class. And that also helps and stimulates the brain to gain more energy and it helps certain children to concentrate. I’ve seen the benefits music can have on young children. They develop social skills and brainpower. It inspires creativity and teaches them patience and helps them build confidence.

When the young child’s development is considered, music and movement can be seen as undividable entities. This plays a role from being a fetus up to being born and growing up. The importance of music and movement with relation to physical development allows Children improve their co-ordination, which assists in muscular development. They begin to understand what they can do with their bodies as they run, balance, stretch, crawl and skip. Children respond positively to music. Instrumental exercise in early childhood enhances fine motor skills, or the ability to use small muscle movements, and also results in structural brain changes.