The value of utilising arts integration in foundation phase learners.

Arts integration is a way of teaching were by the outcomes of not only music are reached, but also the outcomes of other subject are reached at the same time. Learners are being taught of the artistic things, it could be music to understand another subject easily. It also becomes easy for learners to get to understand different subjects when they are integrated with arts because they learn in practical way before they can do the theory and symbols of the subjects.( Brezovnik 2015). The value of arts integration is vital within the foundation phase stream because it’simperative part of a well-rounded education. Intensified exposure to the arts goes a long way to help discover the schools performing, visual and musical arts programs academics. Schools that had integrated arts in their education offering approach, does not only had boosted academic achievement but has went on also to promoting self[1]confidence, creativity and school pride. Arts integration education offering it helps to also readdress socio-economic imbalances. Learners should also be actively engaged in the teaching and learning process through arts integration and play, as this allows them to have fun while participating in authentic, meaningful teaching and learning activities in social settings and demonstrating their understanding practically through the arts. Teaching and learning practices that address outcomes in many areas simultaneously while enabling learners to demonstrate their grasp of concepts and abilities through the arts are referred to as arts integration.Music education provides unique opportunity for addressing educational goals that are inclusive.By engaging with music, employing various sorts of movements, singing in various languages, playing different games, and integrating varied patterns during rhythmic and body percussion exercises, we can fulfill these specific requirements of our learners, allowing all learners to succeed.

What are the most important aspect to keep in mind when planning a foundation phase lessons?

- When you start a lesson you must start it with music so that leaners will be active and will not lose focus.

-Make connections between content and real-life situations as well as current social topics.

-Any music played in class must contribute to the achievement of the lesson's objectives.

-Accommodate a variety of learners' learning styles, talents, and interests.

-Facilitate an activity and ask open-ended questions when explaining something.

-Based on the lesson, developmental stage, and learning process, assessments must be most suited for certain activities.

Has your perception and priorities with regards to lesson planning and the inclusion of music (and the arts) throughout your teaching and learning in the foundation phase changed? Please motivate your answer.

Yes, incorporating music and the arts into the class has a significant impact on students.It enables students to use art to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject.Incorporating music and art into the foundation phase encourages students to participate actively in the lesson and aids in the development of social and creative thinking skills.Learners' eagerness to learn is also increased when music is included.It also allows students to have fun while learning.

Characteristics of well planned lesson plan

1. Introductory phase

2. Teaching and learning

3. Conclusions

The term "art integrating" refers to a method of teaching and learning in which subject standards are taught and assessed fairly in and via the arts.Teachers at schools that promote this method use a variety of art forms to assist pupils understand complex concepts and content, including theatre, drama, singing, drawing, sculpture, and more.

According to John F. K defines arts integration as "an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject and meets evolving objectives in both."

 Arts integration is a way of teaching were by the outcomes of not only music are reached, but also the outcomes of other subject are reached at the same time. Learners are being taught of the artistic things, it could be music to understand another subject easily. It also becomes easy for learners to get to understand different subjects when they are integrated with arts because they learn in practical way before they can do the theory and symbols of the subjects.( Brezovnik 2015)

The value of integrating art in foundation phase

The value of arts integration is vital within the foundation phase stream because it’s

imperative part of a well-rounded education. Intensified exposure to the arts goes a long

way to help discover the schools performing, visual and musical arts programs

academics. Schools that had integrated arts in their education offering approach, does

not only had boosted academic achievement but has went on also to promoting self[1]confidence, creativity and school pride. Arts integration education offering it helps to also readdress socio-economic imbalances.

• The arts help children develop creative problem-solving skills, motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making skills, risk-taking skills and inventiveness.Plus, art experiences boost critical thinking and use real-word scenarios, which teach students how to observe the world around them.
• Working in the arts aids the development of creative problem-solving abilities.
• Teaching through the arts can help learners understand complex subjects by visualizing them.
• Learner's motor skills, linguistic skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and originality are all aided by art training.
• Learners in the visual arts are taught about color, layout, perspective, and balance, which are all techniques that are required in academic work presentations (visual and digital).
• By integrating art and other topics, learners who might not otherwise be engaged in class can be reached.
• Arts activities improve critical thinking by helping pupils to be more deliberate and thorough in their observations of the environment.
• Art education helps learners connect with their own culture as well as the rest of the world.
• Children who engage in the arts on a regular basis three hours a day, three days a week for a full year are four times more likely to be recognized for academic success, to participate in a math and science fair, or to win an award for writing an essay or poetry than children who do not.

There many forms of play that support the seven Areas of Learning in the foundation phase. Though not a full list, examples of this kind of play include construction play, role play, creative play, symbolic play such as mark making ( for example drawing, painting, writing and so on) and exploratory play. Play is vital in the foundation phase and has conducive relationship with development and learning. Questions which can be posed in relation to understand value of play includes like what process unfolding inside the child’s mind? And what impact play has on the child? In broad level, playing is developing well the holistic development of the learners, which incorporate the 3 domains of development comprises of affective, cognitive and psycho-motor. Secondly, play complements children’s discipline-based learning, in the process strengthening the depth to envisaged actual and possible learning outcomes of the curriculum play content. Children inside the classroom are very different. They all have different skills, strength and even weaknesses as they do not come from the same back rounds. It is very crucial for a teacher to create games in the classroom for the learners to play as it enhances the ability of interaction, communication and group work. Playing also helps learners to have thinking abilities because they have to think on how to win or get the correct answers to the game given. When the learners have developed all these skills, their self-esteem is promoted; they will not lack self- esteem. In most cases, learners enjoy learning by themselves and not being told what to do, therefore when playing; they learn by themselves, they become curious of what is needed or done and find way to do what should be done correctly. Teaching and learning through play is regarded as the fundamental method in the foundation phase. According to the Child Development Institute, the larger part of brain development occurs after birth, in other words physical play helps a child develop connections between the nerve cells and the brain. While the connections develops the learner’s fine and gross motor skills, socialization skills, personal awareness skills, language skills, creativity skills and problem solving skills are improved. Good play activities bring together play with social interactions and problem solving.

In children's culture, there are three types of play.

1. Tradition: In traditional games, rules are essential. This is the way the game will always be played, Many classic children's games have rules that must be followed and are rarely disregarded.

2. Open: An improvisational approach known as open play. Although there are rules in open play, they can be altered based on the needs of the children as they play. The structure of the overall setting is vital.

3. Original play: Original play is innovative and centered on the pursuit of knowledge.

Element of play.

• Play is a mental and emotional state of being.
• Surprising and challenging elements are present in play.
• Play is a combination of a method, an attitude, and a structure.
• Play is a voluntary and unifying activity that is an important aspect of the socialization process.
• Participants rate the aesthetic quality of the game, and the game creates an informal arena for socio-historical commentary.
• Roles in society are reinforced through play.

 Music related to math

- Math and music have a direct relationship that goes back years and years to the origin of music and civilization. musicians and mathematicians both use patterns. music and math have the closest connection because they both use patterns, choruses and portions of songs have been reviewed in music and mathematical pattern are utilized to to explain and anticipate the unknown. And you can study everything in music from different mathematical perspective, geometry, number theory, trigonometry, various calculus, and signal processing are all covered.

The frequency of sounds has a mathematical relationship. different weights and vibrations can be used to create different sounds. this led to the realization that the length of vibrating strings, such as violin, guitar, or piano, can regulates its pitch. the higher the pitch, the shorter the string, and the lower the pitch , the longer the string thrower.

Music related to life skills

- Music is a unique kind of expression that has the ability to affect how people feel, think, and act. music brings intellectual and emotional elements together, allowing for personal expression, introspection, and emotional development. Dancing to music helps children develop motor skills while allowing them to express themselves. music also aids memory in both children and adults. music study necessitate discipline, hard work, and creativity. Music enables students to express themselves creatively while also improving their life skills. 

Music and language 

- music and language are linked in so many ways, its vital to classify some of them. grammar and vocabulary are aided by music. it is also widely believed that those who learn a musical instrument at a young age find it easier to master a second language later in life. you can listen to music while also hearing the language. Our brains processing of language and music is far more intricate than simply detecting words or sounds; it is extremely complex and utilize similar brain functions. Teachers believe that the development of cognitive and social skills through singing and dancing may have led to the development of language. Language and music both involves a series of sounds that might be interpreted as correct or incorrect. Different notes make up music, and letters or symbol are frequently used to form  word in language. Language can be learned through listening to music and language of music contains rules, or syntax, similar to written and spoken language. Music is a fantastic instrument for learning languages.

As an upcoming foundation teacher I've learnt that engagement in authentic, play based music activities should support the holistic development of foundation phase learners. Therefore it is important for my learners to experience music activities and not only with the aim of developing musicianship skills, but to promote their holistic development. From study unit 1 I've also learned more about musical development in foundation phase . Among other factors, I've also learned more about Erikson's stages of psychosocial development as it enlightens specifically  the influence of social interaction  and relationships on learning. I've also acquired more about Piaget's cognitive development theory what I have learned is that Piaget theory of cognitive development  emphasizes  the notion that children learn by interacting  with the world and that they build new knowledge  based on existing knowledge and skills. Furthermore, as an upcoming foundation teacher I've learnt more about music development as well as holistic development, I got to know what is exactly  the value of music for holistic development  of foundation phase learners.