Today, our society is enjoying unprecedented economic growth and material affluence. However, it has negative aspects in that many people cannot fully enjoy mental comfort and well-being as they are struggling with a sense of deprivation and inequalit...
Today, our society is enjoying unprecedented economic growth and material affluence. However, it has negative aspects in that many people cannot fully enjoy mental comfort and well-being as they are struggling with a sense of deprivation and inequality due to fierce competition brought about by capitalism. As a way to overcome these negative side effects of our society, people pursue music.
Music becomes the source of energy that comforts the body and mind. People who are tired and exhausted in the modern society can express their feelings through singing in which beautiful melodies heal their emotions. When music is used in education, it can become the foundation of a well-balanced character and a rich life. In particular, early childhood music education improves not only musical ability, but also promotes positive emotional development by stimulating children’s senses.
This paper analyzes researches based on various theories on early childhood music education and tries to find out how early childhood music education affects character formation from various perspectives. In order to conduct the research effectively, a survey was conducted among high school students on the necessity of early childhood music education and its effects on character formation. Following three research questions were developed for this study.
First, what is the meaning of character education?
Second, what is the link between early childhood education and character formation?
Third, what effects does early childhood music education have on character formation?
In this research, it is particularly considered the effects of early childhood music education on character formation from a philosophical aspect of music education rather than a musicological aspect.
The results from the research are as below.
First, early childhood is an appropriate time to do music education to instill a love for music in every day life.
Second, early childhood music education develops musicality by stimulating children’s senses, thereby fostering a creative spirit and having positive effects on the development of social character.
Third, early childhood music education is helpful to nurture well-rounded personality of children since music education is done when children’s aesthetic sensibility is developed.
Fourth, the survey conducted among 74 high school students indicated that 71 students recognized the necessity of early childhood music education and 58 students responded that early childhood music education has positive effects on character formation.
Early childhood music education has been implemented in child education institutions in various ways through singing, listening and creative musical activities, etc. However, more child-focused music programs are still needed to make more professional and systematic efforts to improve music education for those in early childhood. It is proposed that early childhood music education can be a key tool in children’s character development. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that all music activities can have a positive influence on the character development of children.