Can children's social skills be enhanced through singing games in music lesson?

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

The ability to develop social relationships with peers has long been regarded as one of the most important development tasks of childhood (Hartup, 1989; Jewett, 1992; McClellan & Katz, 1992). The acquisition of social skills is very significant during early childhood, however, these skills are rarely taught in Hong Kong kindergartens. Teachers tend to reinforce quiet and obedient classroom behaviour. To enhance children’ social skills, music provides not only the opportunities for aesthetic and creative development, but social development and social skills (Seefeldt & Barbour, 1998; Isenberg & Jalongo, 1997, 2002). Leonhard (1983) regards that ‘music is by its very nature a social art’. It serves to unite social groups because it helps each feel a part of a group. Hence, social skills develop once children feel a part of a group. Music can draw the shy, withdrawn child into a group, and encourage all to come into closer contact with their peers and support social relationship’’ (Spodek, Saracho, and Lee, 1983). Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to share some songs with participants which enhanced children’s social competence composed by the researcher. The subjects involved a class of 15 children aged five. A music lesson of 30 minutes was conducted in a kindergarten. Data was collected through a class observation and video recording. The outcome of the lesson was analyzed qualitatively. Findings of the study revealed the ultimate goal of the singing games in music lesson cultivated young children’s social development.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - May 2005
EventRedesigning Pedagogy: Research, Policy, Practice - National Institute of Education, Singapore
Duration: 30 May 200501 Jun 2005

Conference

ConferenceRedesigning Pedagogy: Research, Policy, Practice
Country/TerritorySingapore
Period30/05/0501/06/05

Citation

Lau, W. C. M. (2005, May). Can children's social skills be enhanced through singing games in music lesson? Paper presented at Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference: Research, Policy, Practice, Singapore.

Keywords

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Theory and Practice of Teaching and Learning

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