Browsing by Subject "musiikkivalinnat"

The aim of this research was to map out the musical environments as well as the consideration of children’s musical preferences in early childhood education and preschool. Previous studies were mostly focused on the systematical music education, so with this study the goal is to create a general view of the musical environment and music-related activity in early childhood education and preschool by answering the following research questions: 1. In what situations and purposes is music used in early childhood education and preschool? 2. What pieces of music and music genres are used early childhood education and preschool? 3. In what ways and by who are the music choices made in early childhood education and preschool? a) What elements are considered important in music choices? b) How are the preferences and wishes considered in the music choices? The research utilized a mixed methods approach, that involved both qualitative and quantitative features. The data was collected with an online survey and the sample consisted of 90 individual survey participants who worked in an early childhood or preschool environment in February of 2020. The data collected with the survey consisted of both qualitative and quantitative information that was analyzed with different methods. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis with a phenomenographical method, which focuses on different experiences and thoughts about a specific subject. The quantitative data was analyzed with statistical methods like comparing means and medians, using frequency tables and cross tabulation as well as statistical tests like nonparametric Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. The results of the research indicate that music is a part of all daily activities in the early education setting, but its use is emphasized in adult-led activities as well as during rest. Music has an important role in everyday situations as well as creating a mood. Children’s music was listened to the most, especially during adult-led activities, but classical music was also used quite a lot, especially during rest. The most used children's music were old traditional songs like "Wheels on the bus" and "Twinkle twinkle little star". From other genres "Ikuinen vappu" by JVG was the most mentioned. Children's requests, the subject, own pedagogical experience as well as musical learning goals were the most important basis for making music choices. The choices were made by the early childhood education teachers, early education nurses as well as children, but the emphasis leaned towards the teacher, especially in preschool context.