The Developmental Stages of the Child in the Foundation Phase: Partnership

Abstract

Parents are the primary educators of their children. They should view themselves as being in partnership with the school, which is then a formalized extension of the family. The partnership has been emphasized by legislation of South African Schools’ Act of 1996. This partnership recognizes the mission and responsibility of parents to educate their children and assist in their formal education. By and large, the perception that parents have of education and adulthood determines the role they play in their children’s formal education. In the Tsonga community, just as in many other African communities, formal education is regarded as a determinant factor of the level of prosperity, welfare and security which the individual will achieve. The study is qualitative and it investigated the developmental stages of the child in the Foundation Phase at the Tsonga School.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2049