The role of musical arts in early childhood education, a study of some selected early childhood centres in the Krachi East district

Abstract

This work presents how Music and the musical Arts are effectively used in the Early Childhood Centres in promoting children’s developmental abilities in their early years. Qualitative approach was used and data were obtained through observations, interviews and document study. Twenty-four (24) respondents from twelve (12) early childhood education centres in the Krachi East District were purposively sampled for the study. Findings indicate that, Music, taught with the integration of the other arts enhanced the development of creative, mental and fluency skills, and the intellectual abilities of the growing child which also aided the teaching of other subjects that ensured the holistic development of the child. This research among other things recommends the revision of the content of the music programme in the teacher training institutions to directly comprise the contents and demands of the early childhood programme. Future research can consider the role of the various individual arts in the education of young children.