Review article
https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v25i2.4738
Music in the Curriculum of Early Childhood and Preschool Education
Branimir Mendeš
; University of Split, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Departmentof Early Childhood and Preschool Education
Snježana Dobrota
orcid.org/0000-0001-7130-0199
; University of Split, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Departmentof Teacher Education
Abstract
From the beginning of organized early childhood and preschool education, music has been an integral part of kindergarten educational practice. The key role in the formation of institutional early childhood and preschool education was played by Friedrich Fröbel (1782‒1852). It is due to him that kindergartens opened during the 19th century, first in Germany and then in other countries. He considered music an essential component of educational practice. The kindergarten movement also influenced Croatia. In 1869, the first kindergarten (zabavište) was opened in Zagreb. The following decades saw an expansion of the network of preschool institutions. Music activities, most often singing, were an integral part of them. Methodical approaches to early music education have changed and improved over time. Changes in the conception of early childhood and preschool education pedagogy also reflected on the position of music activities in certain educational programs or curricula of early childhood and preschool education. While singing activities were the focus of the traditional methodical approach, the contemporary approach emphasizes researching music. Music activities have their place in the modern curriculum of early childhood and preschool education. They represent a significant opportunity to encourage the complete development of early and preschool-age children and stimulate their education, learning activities, and the development of their competencies.
Keywords
Croatia; early and preschool age; kindergarten, music activities; conceptions of pedagogy
Hrčak ID:
307015
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2023.
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