Figurenotes in kindergartens: Widening the range of possibilities in music teaching in ECEC
Ivanova, Violeta; Flores, Faustine (2020)
Ivanova, Violeta
Flores, Faustine
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202103213641
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202103213641
Tiivistelmä
Figurenotes is a music notation developed by the music therapist Kaarlo Uusitalo. The method utilizes different shapes and colors so music can be easily taught to everyone regardless of their background or abilities.
The purpose of this Bachelor’s thesis was to examine the possibility of using an unconventional approach, Figurenotes, to teach music in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in order to widen the range of possibilities in music teaching for early childhood professionals.
This work is a functional study that applies methods used in action research. The study was carried out in a private kindergarten in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The participants of this study consisted of 6 children between the ages of 3 to 5 and two kindergarten teachers. The empirical data was collected during six music sessions with the children at the kindergarten. The music sessions involved a wide range of musical activities with a digital Figurenotes application. The application is based on the original Figurenotes notation and was specifically developed for the project. Analysis of the empirical data emerged from discussions with the staff before and after the sessions, and feedback received both verbally and with feedback forms.
The results showed that the Figurenotes method corresponds well with the music education in ECEC and supports the learning and teaching guidelines of the Finnish National Core Curriculum. Moreover, the use of Figurenotes demonstrated great flexibility in developing music-oriented activities for the children. Finally, the interactive nature of the Figurenotes activities stimulated the learning process of the children, demonstrated by their active participation in the sessions.
The results lead to the conclusion that Figurenotes can be used as a tool for music education by kindergarten teachers and it motivates the children towards learning and musical activities. Training about the subject for early childhood education students and professionals could be further developed and provided.
The purpose of this Bachelor’s thesis was to examine the possibility of using an unconventional approach, Figurenotes, to teach music in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in order to widen the range of possibilities in music teaching for early childhood professionals.
This work is a functional study that applies methods used in action research. The study was carried out in a private kindergarten in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The participants of this study consisted of 6 children between the ages of 3 to 5 and two kindergarten teachers. The empirical data was collected during six music sessions with the children at the kindergarten. The music sessions involved a wide range of musical activities with a digital Figurenotes application. The application is based on the original Figurenotes notation and was specifically developed for the project. Analysis of the empirical data emerged from discussions with the staff before and after the sessions, and feedback received both verbally and with feedback forms.
The results showed that the Figurenotes method corresponds well with the music education in ECEC and supports the learning and teaching guidelines of the Finnish National Core Curriculum. Moreover, the use of Figurenotes demonstrated great flexibility in developing music-oriented activities for the children. Finally, the interactive nature of the Figurenotes activities stimulated the learning process of the children, demonstrated by their active participation in the sessions.
The results lead to the conclusion that Figurenotes can be used as a tool for music education by kindergarten teachers and it motivates the children towards learning and musical activities. Training about the subject for early childhood education students and professionals could be further developed and provided.