ONE, TWO, SING! HOW PRESCHOOL TEACHERS UTILIZE MUSIC ACTIVITIES IN THE CLASSROOM: A CASE OF KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v0i0.1345Keywords:
preschool, preschool teachers, music activities, multiple intelligence, musical intelligence, Kiambu CountyAbstract
Research has proven beyond doubt that music activities are an invaluable resource in the learning process, especially for young children. However, how these music activities are used in the learning process is not known. The current study set out to document the various ways preschool teachers use music activities in the course of instruction. It was anchored on the theory of Multiple Intelligences by Gardner. The researcher randomly selected one preschool teacher from each of the twelve sub-counties in Kiambu County, Kenya. This made a total of 12 respondents. A researcher constructed observation guide was used to record how preschool teachers used music activities in real preschool classroom situations as they taught. The respondents were later interviewed. This article documents the findings, which revealed very innovative ways of integrating music activities in the course of instruction. It is recommended that teachers reflect and explore the best ways and times to use music activities in the learning process for maximum effect. Music may also be used at other levels of education to improve the learning environment.
Article visualizations:
References
Aguirre, D., Bustinza, D., & Garvich, M. (2016) Influence of Songs in Primary School Students' Motivation for Learning English in Lima, Peru. English Language Teaching; 9 (2) 178-191.
Almodovar, M. (2010). Integrating music, drama, and the visual arts in the early childhood curriculum: A study of early childhood teachers in a metropolitan area of Puerto Rico (Doctoral Dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3397684)
Andang’o, E.A.(2009) Synchronising pedagogy and musical experiences in early childhood: addressing challenges in preschool music education in Kenya, Early Child Development and Care, 179:6, 807-821
Brewer, C. (1995) Music and Learning: Seven Ways to Use Music in the Classroom. Tequesta, Florida: LifeSounds
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, New York: Basic Books.
Gardner, H. (1999) Intelligence Reframed. Multiple intelligences for the 21st century, New York: Basic Books.
Gardner, H., & Hatch, T. (1989). Multiple intelligences go to school: Educational implications of the theory of multiple intelligences. Educational Researcher, 18(8), 4-9.
Gordon, E. E (1990) A Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children. Chicago: GIA Publications.
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson L. (2006) How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability DOI: 10.1177/1525822X05279903 Field Methods 2006 18: 59
Kuh, G.D. (2009b) Afterword. In: Harper, S.R. and Quaye, S.J. (eds.) Student Engagement in Higher Education. New York and London: Routledge, pp. 313–318.
Levin, B. (1994). Improving educational productivity: Putting students at the center. Phi Delta Kappan. pp. 758 - 760.
Litchman, M. (2010) Qualitative Research in Education: A users Guide. London, Sage Publications.
Malin, S. A. M. (1993). Music experiences in the elementary classroom as directed and reported by in-service elementary classroom teachers (Doctoral Dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 9414331)
Mills, S. W. (2001). The role of musical intelligence in a multiple intelligences focused elementary school. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 2 (4). Retrieved from http://www.ijea.org/v2n4/index.html
Muya, F.K. (2016) levels of teacher self-efficacy and use of music activities among preschool children. Unpublished PhD thesis, Kenyatta University.
Olson, K.D (2011) “The Effects of Music on the Mind.” Reverse Spins. Beyond Soothing the Savage Beast. Retrieved from http://www.reversespins.com/
Orodho, J. A. (2009). Elements of Education and social science research methods, 2nd Edition, Kanezja publishers.
Sandberg, H., Cory, H. & Kathleen, P. (2013) Increasing Engagement through Music and Movement Academic Exchange Quarterly Volume 17, Issue 4
Sinyei, C., Mwonga, J. & Wanyama M.N. (2012) An Assessment of the Availability of Resources to Facilitate Early Childhood Music and Movement Curriculum Implementation in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies (JETERAPS) 3(5): 624-630
Thares S.K. (2010) Using Music to Teach Reading in the Elementary Classroom. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stout
Trowler, V. (2010) Student engagement literature review, Department of Educational Research Lancaster University
White, K. N. (2007) the Effects of Background Music in the Classroom on the Productivity, Motivation and Behavior of Fourth Grade Students Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Columbia College.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).


