Creative group music teaching and the principles of Gestalt play therapy in the foundation phase in South African education

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Music teaching in groups is an important aspect of the development of the child inFoundation Phase teaching. Early childhood has been described as the most criticalperiod in the child's musical development. With the introduction of Outcomes basedEducation in South Africa, the curriculum regarding the presentation of musicclasses has changed. Similarities between music group classes and Gestalt PlayTherapy were investigated, with the aim of incorporating concepts of Gestalt PlayTherapy into music group classes.Legislation was studied in order to determine the expectations of the South Africangovernment, and specifically the education departments, relating to music teaching.In the present curriculum, the weight allocation for music in the Foundation Phasewas significantly reduced from what it was previously. Teachers must structure theirown music programme into their curriculum. Investigation into the presentation ofcreative music group classes, with the incorporation of the principles of Gestalt PlayTherapy, was undertaken in this research study.Gestalt Play Therapy is a holistic approach that combines the principles of Gestalttheory with Play Therapy. Research was undertaken to investigate whether specificstages in Gestalt Play Therapy could be successfully combined with music groupclasses. This research emphasizes that the developmental stages of the child, specificallyphysical, neurological, cognitive and language development, should be taken intoaccount when presenting lessons, and that children may be guided towards a higherlevel of integration and balance in themselves. Research into OBE principlessuggests that the way forward could be a continuation of the OBE model, but withcertain amendments.An inductive study of practical observation and presentation of creative groupclasses was undertaken. It was found that most teachers were not adequatelyqualified to present music classes, and creativity was not satisfactorily addressed intheir lessons.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University