Assessment 50
PORTFOLIO
Due 20 August 2025
, TPF2602
Assessment 50
PORTFOLIO
Due 20 August 2025
EXCEPTIONAL RESPONSE
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
My five-week teaching practice at Mamelodi Primary School offered an immersive,
transformative encounter with the practical realities of early childhood education in a
multilingual, resource-constrained urban South African context. The experience
deepened my understanding of the multifaceted role of the Foundation Phase educator
as facilitator, curriculum interpreter, nurturer, and inclusive practitioner.
Situated in a township community characterised by linguistic diversity (predominantly
Sepedi, isiZulu, and English), the school context necessitated a flexible, context-
responsive approach. Through daily engagement with Grade R and Grade 1 learners,
I transitioned from observation to co-teaching and finally to full teaching responsibilities.
My planning and execution of lessons were continuously informed by the theoretical
principles covered in CHL2601 (Children’s Literature), MFP1501 (Mathematics for
the Foundation Phase), LSP1501 (Life Skills), and CDE2601 (Child Development
and Learning).
This journey allowed me to translate theory into praxis, moving from knowledge
consumption to intentional knowledge application. I became increasingly aware of how
children construct meaning through play, repetition, sensory engagement, and social
interaction. My lesson planning focused on holistic development—integrating cognitive,
emotional, physical, and social learning domains, aligned with CAPS and supported
by constructivist and sociocultural theories. Reflective practice and responsiveness to
learner diversity emerged as essential aspects of my evolving professional identity.