The influence of music in the development of reading in foundation phase learners : a socio-cultural case study of a South African primary school

As a music educator actively involved in teaching learners from ages five to seventeen years over the past nineteen years, the researcher has noted the reading abilities of the learners drop over the years. This could be due to various factors such as large class sizes, changes in curriculum, teacher inadequacy and parents' lack of involvement due to work commitments. It is for this reason that it is important for the educator to be able to use various methods to help with reading development, especially in the young learner. Growing research has indicated that music activities may be beneficial for other academic studies and in this study the focus will be on the reading development of the Foundation Phase learner. There is a relationship between music skills and reading, and studies have proved that increased learning in one area may increase outcomes in another. This study will evaluate whether the learner involved in various music activities has shown an improvement in reading scores from Grade One through to Grade Three.