The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of parents of Grade R children regarding teaching and learning. This will be compared to relevant education theories and the Foundation Phase curriculum and assessment policies to establish whether parents’ perceptions of Grade R teaching and learning differ from prescribed policy, and that which is age-appropriate. This study is based on qualitative methodology and uses a single case study approach. The case identified is located in the suburb of Westville in the Pinetown School District. Open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were used for data collection. Ten parents of Grade R children from two ECD centres were purposively selected to respond to the questionnaire. The two Grade R teachers from each centre were also interviewed. A document analysis of the Mathematics, English Home Language, and Life Skills curriculum and assessment policies was also conducted. The findings revealed that parents’ perceptions regarding Grade R teaching and learning significantly differed in relation to current literature and prescribed curriculum policies. Parents’ expectations of the curriculum also exerted pressure on teachers and children, thus it is recommended that parents become au fait with the use of play as an appropriate teaching and learning strategy in the informal Grade R year. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The rationale to embark upon this research is based on the notion that stories are effective tools to support the teacher in implementing the curriculum as an entity instead of fragmented sections. Learning Outcome 1 outlined in the Revised National Curriculum Statement (DoE, 2002a:14) Languages Policy Document of the Grade R section states that the learner should be able to … [understand] short, simple stories …” by “ … [joining] in choruses at appropriate points … [draw] a picture of the story … [connect] the story to his own life …”. The goals of the proposed curriculum necessitated an investigation to firstly, establish whether stories are in fact used and if so how the stories are used. Secondly, I explored whether stories are integrated with other subjects in the curriculum. In the research the teachers were also assisted to expose Grade R children to stories whereby they could deal with traumas such as HIV and AIDS. The research was conducted before the implementation of CAPS (DBE, 2011b) but in the recommendations a model based on CAPS is proposed. The research was conducted with Grade R children therefore it was important to adhere to ethical considerations, such as anonymity and a protocol to follow the school programme. Of importance was to observe when you work with children you should acknowledge the sensitivity around their privacy and emotional needs especially with regards to fears and traumas. Based on the assumption by Levine and Foster as cited in Jackson (2000: 276) that “... story telling ... art, and music could be healing tools”, there seemed to be a need to research whether these were used as learning materials to empower teachers in Grade R classes. The literature underpins the theoretical framework. The theoretical framework was based on story theory and the integrated approach. In order to assess the approaches of teachers I applied an epistemological paradigm emanating from a qualitative framework which was embedded in a constructivist/interpretivist approach. The research design was a case study. I used interviews and questionnaires as research instruments. Triangulation was applied to validate my findings. In analysing the types of stories, it served to establish which kinds of stories appealed to the target group and what effect these stories had on the children. The integration of stories and other areas in the curriculum possibly gave more scope for optimal utilisation of the imagination of children. It was imperative to determine how teachers could be assisted to implement an approach whereby the imagination of a child is stimulated and optimally utilised in order to develop linguistic and social skills, as well as help learners to cope with trauma. The research was conducted in Grade R classes in the Western Cape, representing various strata of society namely a previously disadvantaged state school, a former model C school, a privately funded institution and a non-governmental institution. Ultimately the research was driven with the intention that once the approach had been negotiated and implemented the children and teachers would benefit. The types of stories and activities in the programmes presented were of great significance. It also called for creative and innovative teachers, who were not only acquainted with the circumstances of all the children they taught, but similarly equally sensitive to the circumstances of the children. The findings were informed by the data gathered at the schools, based on the main research questions and the subsidiary questions. Most teachers recognised the importance and value of stories as well as the significance of integration. However, the integration was mostly reserved for language lessons. The main recommendations are with regards to the teaching approaches to integrate lessons, selections of stories to integrate lessons, an environment conducive to integration of lessons and the role of the education department.

Magister Educationis - MEd / Systemic evaluation undertaken by the Department of Basic Education as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2006 – 2016 posed a serious challenge in South African schools. The numeracy and mathematics results in 2009 stated that 35% of learners in Grade 3 achieved the required level of competence in Mathematics. This has, however, improved to 48.3% in 2010 but dropped to 47.6% in 2011. The development of early number concept in countries such as the Netherlands, Singapore and Helsinki has shown that early intervention is essential for reaching mathematical success in schooling. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) integrates the three learning programmes: Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills for Grade R into a daily programme of activities. Within this daily programme it specifies that 35% of each day must be used towards Numeracy. The Grade R method of teaching emphasizes the fact that teaching must take place informally but planned formally. The purpose of this study is to examine how early mathematics is taught in an integrated and informal setting to improve number concept. The theoretical framework underpinning this study is based on the constructivist views of Piaget and Vygotsky and how these theories lay the foundation for the development of number concept in Grade R. Number skills to develop number concept were identified in nine lessons to underpin the content area 1, Numbers, Operations and Relationships as determined by the Grade R Mathematics Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The methodology employed to answer the research question were video-recordings, observations and interviews. The findings identified number skills such as emergent number concepts: distinguishing numerosity, imitating resultative counting and symbolizing by using fingers as well as growing number concepts: discovering different meanings of numbers, oral counting, one- to- one correspondence, rote counting, perceptual subitising, resultative counting, representing and symbolizing numbers, ordinality, place value, emergent object-based counting and calculating and golden moments. The discussion of the findings focused on the CAPS content area and how these number skills were used to achieve the demands of the content area 1. The major findings of this study presented a case of the utilization of number skills to achieve the development of number concept in Grade R, how mathematics should be made fun, and how incidental learning, “golden moments” can be used to introduce key mathematical concepts informally. This study has implications for teachers of Grade R and for the training of pre-service Grade R teachers at tertiary level.

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Through the process of motor learning and control, new skills are then developed. There are various physical activities that enable the development of new motor skills, one being dance. Numerous studies have found that dance has improved sensorimotor control of body sway following just a single dance session. Furthermore, learning dance engages a variety of cognitive resources that improve postural control of children. Dancing therefore contributes to the development and refinement of the fundamental motor skills like gait and balance. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of dance training on gait and balance of Grade R and Grade 7 school children, and to investigate which age group would best demonstrate these effects. This study was conducted using an intervention and control group. The Grade R intervention group constituted a sample of thirty-four participants, the Grade R control consisted of twenty-seven participants, the Grade 7 intervention group and control group consisted of twenty-one participants each. Three different testing instruments were used; a 10-meter walk test for stride pattern analysis, a dynamic balance test known as the tandem gait and the static balance test known as the tandem stance balance test. Both the control and experimental group were required to perform these tests before and after the intervention period. The dance training lasted a period of six weeks and was conducted on a weekly basis. Following the intervention it was found that only Grade R stride pattern in terms of stride frequency was significantly changed and that no significant changes were seen at any time for Grade 7 children stride pattern and balance. The balance changes were seen for both Grade R intervention and control groups, showing that the children were improving with physical activity, which cannot be attributed to dance alone. This highlights that training should be started at the young age, and that physical activity programs like dance are good and diverse options to consider when designing such activities.

Thesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / The quality of education in South Africa has drawn critical attention as children continue to perform poorly as they progress through school. Reflective practice is promoted and implemented internationally as a method to improve quality teaching and learning. Nationally a growing interest in the implementation of reflective practice is reflected in the Department of Basic Education’s suggestion that teachers make use of reflective practice to inform their classroom planning. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge and understanding Grade R teachers have of reflective practice. As Grade R is the first year and the foundation of a child’s school career, it was of interest to explore whether teachers reflect on their practice. This study was located in an interpretivist paradigm using a case study design. Two Grade R teachers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Their annual, termly and weekly planning was analysed alongside the transcripts of the interviews, using thematic analysis to identify common themes of reflective practice in Grade R. Five themes emerged from the analysis, which enabled the exploration of the benefits and challenges of using reflective practice in Grade R. These five themes allowed for the development of the idea of using reflective practice as a means for improving teaching and learning in Grade R. The teachers interviewed value the idea of reflective practice as a way to meet the needs of the children. They describe it as an innate aspect of their teaching. However, they have a tacit understanding and knowledge of reflective practice and it was not evident in the documents they use to inform their teaching. For reflective practice to be encouraged teachers need support from within their schools and from the Department of Basic Education.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University Of Zululand, South Africa, 2016 / The main purpose of the study was to investigate the Foundation Phase teachers’ understanding of play in the teaching of Grade R in the Umkhanyakude District. The study targeted Grade R educators, because they are responsible for laying a sound and solid foundation for learners, which can be effectively done through proper use of play in the teaching of young learners. The study used a qualitative approach in order to get an in-depth knowledge in terms of understanding the importance of play when teaching young learners. The research sample comprised of seven teachers from four different schools in the district. Purposive sampling of participants was used. Data were collected through inside and outside observations and interviews. The research findings were first analysed according to eight main themes according to the data elicited through interrogations during interviews. Key findings revealed that some Grade R educators did not have a clear understanding of play in Grade R teaching. The study also showed the impact of current constraints of the Department of Education, like restricted kilometres and shortage of ECD officials in terms of providing monitoring and support.

The South African government has developed various policies to promote equality and inclusivity in education. Despite all the efforts, Grade R in-service teachers seem unable to cope with inclusive education and it appears that they are not adequately prepared for inclusive education. The purpose of this study is to explore Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education in South Africa, with a view to add to existing knowledge on this topic and propose guidelines that can be used to enhance Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory formed the theoretical foundation for this study. Qualitative approach was used to understand Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education. A sample group of eleven Grade R teachers were selected to provide “information-rich” data. Interviews, observations and document analysis were selected as data collection techniques. Data analysis and interpretation was a qualitative and inductive process. The findings revealed that Grade R in-service teacher preparation programmes are inadequate to prepare them for inclusive education; and they have difficulty coping with inclusive education because of insufficient translation of theory into practice and insufficient knowledge on the use of available resources for inclusive education. Curriculum differentiation should form an important aspect of teacher training. It is recommended that there should be a consultative process between all stakeholders who are involved in training of Grade R teachers. Guidelines were also proposed that could be used to enhance Grade R in-service teacher preparation programmes for inclusive education. These include preparing Grade R in-service teachers to apply curriculum differentiation in practical situations, and using teacher trainers who are knowledgeable about inclusive education in the context of the Grade R classroom. The researcher proposes that Grade R teachers be prepared so they are skilled, knowledgeable and confident to transfer knowledge and skills among themselves, even in cluster meetings. / Inclusive Education / Ph. D. (Inclusive Education)

The challenges of backlogs experienced amongst Grade R-learners, results in learners not being school and learning ready when entering Grade 1. Obstacles for example are insufficient stimulation, under developed perception, and poor gross and fine motor skills, require early intervention and ought to receive attention in Grade R. From the socialecological perspective and taking into consideration the great amount of learners in South Africa originating from deprived environments, the study is focused in the domain of the Social Deprivation Theory. The bio-ecological context within which learners find themselves, influence the cognitive and perceptual development of every learner. Epistemologically the study focuses on the similarity between Critical Theory and Interpretivism. Critical Theory highlights the meaning of experience as manifested in relation to social circumstances and developmental background. Interpretivism in this study focuses on the meaning which individuals attach to their experiences in the spotlight and results in greater understanding and insight of the researched phenomenon. Circumstances of deprivation occur worldwide, even in developed countries like United States of America (USA) and England. Already for decades in USA young children gain in their development through intervention in early childhood (Ludwig & Phillips, 2007). Duncan and Brooks-Gunn (2000) identified a relation between child poverty/deprivation and poor school performance in the USA. Research in England (Thompson, 2000) shows that the impact of social neglect of children have serious consequences. The National Education Policy Act (Pandor, 2008; SA DvO, 1997:2) uses Early Childhood Development (ECD) as an umbrella term which refers to the development processes whereby children physically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, morally and socially grow and develop from birth to the age of nine years (SA, DoE, 1995, White paper 5,). The kind of education learners receive in Grade R is crucial to their further development in the education system (Van Zyl, Le Roux & Janse van Rensburg 2011, DvO, 1997:2). Learners lacking an adequate foundation may experience difficulties throughout their school career. In South Africa there is concern as to the standard of education and training, manifesting in a low pass rate on Grade 12-level. This study is undertaken to determine the current shortages in the South African educational system which may hinder the learning potential of Grade R-learners. An attempt is made to determine which handicaps/backlogs Grade R-learners experience, which fits the framework of the deprivation theory, which can undermine learner readiness. This study determine whether intervention by means of a perceptual-motor skills programme can enhance the school readiness of pre-school learners. Finally to determine which shortages/ backlogs exists in the perceptual-motor skills of Grade R nlearners from deprived backgrounds in South Africa. Guidelines for a perceptual-motor intervention program was developed through this study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data-analysis is used in this study (Onwuegbuzie, Johnson en Collins, 2009). The dissertation is compiled in article format. In the first article of the study, the issues of teacher development and support mechanisms and equipment at primary schools and kindergartens are explored. Qualitative and phenomenological research was undertaken and information was gathered by means of questionnaires directed at teachers. In the following article the school readiness of 48 Grade R-learners from deprived backgrounds were tested. The research participants came from similar sosio-economic background, from quintile one and two schools. Seeing that those were the only primary schools with Grade R classes in that area, they were identified on behalf of their availability. In this study the data was analysed and descriptive statistics (means, averages, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values, percentages) and t-tests were used to determine variations in terms of perceptual motor skill development and learning readiness. An experimental group of 21 Grade R learners followed a 10 week long perceptual-motor skills intervention programme. In the follow-up school readiness test (article 3), results indicated that the intervention showed a positive response with regards to the school readiness of the Grade R learners. Drawing to a conclusion (article 4), the intervention programme is critically discussed and recommendations were made to all those concerned with Grade R teaching (teachers, principals, Departments of Education). The conclusion according to the results of the research shows that the intervention had a positive effect on the school and learning readiness of this group of Grade R learners. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Development Innovation and Evaluation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The challenges of backlogs experienced amongst Grade R-learners, results in learners not being school and learning ready when entering Grade 1. Obstacles for example are insufficient stimulation, under developed perception, and poor gross and fine motor skills, require early intervention and ought to receive attention in Grade R. From the socialecological perspective and taking into consideration the great amount of learners in South Africa originating from deprived environments, the study is focused in the domain of the Social Deprivation Theory. The bio-ecological context within which learners find themselves, influence the cognitive and perceptual development of every learner. Epistemologically the study focuses on the similarity between Critical Theory and Interpretivism. Critical Theory highlights the meaning of experience as manifested in relation to social circumstances and developmental background. Interpretivism in this study focuses on the meaning which individuals attach to their experiences in the spotlight and results in greater understanding and insight of the researched phenomenon. Circumstances of deprivation occur worldwide, even in developed countries like United States of America (USA) and England. Already for decades in USA young children gain in their development through intervention in early childhood (Ludwig & Phillips, 2007). Duncan and Brooks-Gunn (2000) identified a relation between child poverty/deprivation and poor school performance in the USA. Research in England (Thompson, 2000) shows that the impact of social neglect of children have serious consequences. The National Education Policy Act (Pandor, 2008; SA DvO, 1997:2) uses Early Childhood Development (ECD) as an umbrella term which refers to the development processes whereby children physically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, morally and socially grow and develop from birth to the age of nine years (SA, DoE, 1995, White paper 5,). The kind of education learners receive in Grade R is crucial to their further development in the education system (Van Zyl, Le Roux & Janse van Rensburg 2011, DvO, 1997:2). Learners lacking an adequate foundation may experience difficulties throughout their school career. In South Africa there is concern as to the standard of education and training, manifesting in a low pass rate on Grade 12-level. This study is undertaken to determine the current shortages in the South African educational system which may hinder the learning potential of Grade R-learners. An attempt is made to determine which handicaps/backlogs Grade R-learners experience, which fits the framework of the deprivation theory, which can undermine learner readiness. This study determine whether intervention by means of a perceptual-motor skills programme can enhance the school readiness of pre-school learners. Finally to determine which shortages/ backlogs exists in the perceptual-motor skills of Grade R nlearners from deprived backgrounds in South Africa. Guidelines for a perceptual-motor intervention program was developed through this study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data-analysis is used in this study (Onwuegbuzie, Johnson en Collins, 2009). The dissertation is compiled in article format. In the first article of the study, the issues of teacher development and support mechanisms and equipment at primary schools and kindergartens are explored. Qualitative and phenomenological research was undertaken and information was gathered by means of questionnaires directed at teachers. In the following article the school readiness of 48 Grade R-learners from deprived backgrounds were tested. The research participants came from similar sosio-economic background, from quintile one and two schools. Seeing that those were the only primary schools with Grade R classes in that area, they were identified on behalf of their availability. In this study the data was analysed and descriptive statistics (means, averages, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values, percentages) and t-tests were used to determine variations in terms of perceptual motor skill development and learning readiness. An experimental group of 21 Grade R learners followed a 10 week long perceptual-motor skills intervention programme. In the follow-up school readiness test (article 3), results indicated that the intervention showed a positive response with regards to the school readiness of the Grade R learners. Drawing to a conclusion (article 4), the intervention programme is critically discussed and recommendations were made to all those concerned with Grade R teaching (teachers, principals, Departments of Education). The conclusion according to the results of the research shows that the intervention had a positive effect on the school and learning readiness of this group of Grade R learners. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Development Innovation and Evaluation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

According to South African Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements, learners’ first language should be the language of learning and teaching in Grade R. However, there is a mismatch between policy and practice since English is the language of Grade R learning and teaching in rural schools in Mpumalanga. The ECD manager should provide evidence-based guidance on the best facilitation approach to follow in a particular context. The study is underpinned by: ‐ Cummins’ distinction between Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency and Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (Cummins, 2000) ‐ Cummins’ interdependence hypothesis (Cummins, 2000) ‐ Distinction between Implicit versus Explicit learning (Dekeyser, 2003) ‐ The Mediated Learning Experience Theory within the poverty context of South Africa where the role of the teacher is seen as the mediator (Feuerstein, 1980) The literature overview focuses on the development of the Grade R curriculum, and two prominent facilitation approaches used in Grade R, the play-based and formal instruction. Research on the effectiveness of each method and language debates both internationally (Wong-Fillmore (1991), Bialystok (2006), Cummins (2000) and nationally (MacDonald (1990), Heugh (2000), Alexander (2005), Balfour (2007) and Jordaan (2011) are provided. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of facilitation on Grade R performance scores in E-L2 learning in rural schools in Mpumalanga. Teachers’ first language, teachers’ qualifications, learners’ first language, learners’ gender, teachers’ age and teachers’ experience on Grade R learners’ performance scores were also tested for interaction effects. Research was conducted in ten randomly selected schools, equally divided between the play-based and formal instruction approaches, and five different languages used in the province. There were 175 Grade R learners and ten teachers in the study sample. The English Language Proficiency standards assessment tool (ELP) was used to collect data and is reported to have no cultural bias. A quantitative methodology was followed, using a two-group comparison design. Participants were matched according to learners’ age, similar exposure period to E-L2 learning, similar rural upbringing, culture, poverty level and mainstream learners. A one-way and two-way ANOVA was used to analyse the data. It was found that the formal approach contributes to better E-L2 learner scores when compared to the play-based approach. The differences in participants’ performance scores were mostly observed in the listening scores and not so much in the speaking scores. IsiNdebele speaking teachers and younger qualified teachers, who were better trained, achieved better learner E-L2 scores than other teachers. Although learners in formal instruction classrooms achieved better results, they still did not achieve competency in basic interpersonal communicative skills in English after three months in Grade R. There was no interaction effect between the gender of the learners and the facilitation approach that was used. A hybrid model, i.e. combination of the play-based and the formal instructional approach is proposed to be implemented in rural Grade R classrooms in Mpumalanga. Further recommendations are to train teachers in educational linguistics, teach listening skills to learners and inform parents about the benefits of first language proficiency before a second language is acquired. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted