The Use of Works of Musical Art in Preschool Education: A Slovak Perspective
The Use of Works of Musical Art in Preschool Education: A Slovak Perspective

Summary/Abstract: Background/purpose – Musical art has great potential for developing a child’s personality. Research around the world confirms that the inclusion of musical art stimuli has a positive impact on preschool children and brings multiple benefits. However, it needs to be led by a teacher who is competent pedagogically, but who is also equally competent artistically. The aim of the research was to examine the use of works of musical art in preschool education in Slovakia from the perspective of preschool teachers. Materials/methods – Questioning was used to meet the survey aim. The research tool was a questionnaire constructed by the authors. In total, 366 kindergarten teachers responded to the questionnaire. A quantitative research design was employed in the study. Results – From the results of the research, it is possible to state that there is a higher than average level of the current status of musical art used in preschool education. The opportunities for kindergarten teachers to acquire knowledge of musical art in their preservice training or other forms of education were found to be below average. The attitude of kindergarten teachers towards musical art can also be described as below average. Opportunities to gain expertise in musical art were shown to statistically, significantly, and positively predict kindergarten teachers’ attitudes toward musical art. It was also confirmed that the kindergarten teachers’ attitude towards musical art statistically, significantly, and positively predicts the use of works of musical art in preschool education. Conclusion – The research findings point to the need to increase opportunities for kindergarten teachers to acquire professional knowledge in musical art. The results of the research may be a stimulus for further research, such as analysis of preschool teachers’ responses in terms of their age and pedagogical practice in order to estimate the development of the current state of using works of musical art in preschool education.

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