AESTHETIC EDUCATION THROUGH MUSIC: PERSPECTIVES OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATORS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35120/Keywords:
Aesthetic development, Early childhood education, Music education, Pre-school children, Qualitative research, Role of educatorsAbstract
Music plays a significant role in the aesthetic education of pre-school children, contributing to their emotional, cognitive, and social development. Aesthetic education fosters children's sensitivity to beauty in art, nature, and everyday life, with music uniquely shaping their sensibility and creative expression. Musical activities such as listening, singing, rhythmic exercises, and improvisation help children develop a sense of harmony, balance, and emotional expression through aesthetic enjoyment. Educators play a key role in this process, as their selection of musical content and teaching methods significantly influences the quality of aesthetic education in pre-school settings.
The empirical part of this study is based on qualitative research conducted through interviews with three pre-school educators. Their responses were analysed to gain insight into their perceptions and practices regarding the integration of music into aesthetic education. The findings indicate that educators recognise the multifaceted value of music in early childhood education, particularly in fostering children's emotional expression, communication skills, and creativity. However, they also highlighted challenges such as limited resources, a lack of formal training in music pedagogy, and the need for additional professional development programmes to enhance the quality of music integration in pre-school settings.
The study’s conclusions confirm that music is not only a form of artistic expression but also a powerful pedagogical tool that enriches children's experiences and contributes to their overall development. To fully harness the aesthetic potential of music, educators should be further empowered through training and the provision of high-quality materials and resources. Strengthening the integration of musical activities into pre-school curricula can create an inspiring environment that supports children's aesthetic development and prepares them for future educational and emotional growth.
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