Song composition for early childhood music teaching activities

Abstract

This study composes and evaluates songs specifically designed for early childhood music activities. The composition process integrates insights from a thorough analysis of relevant literature, theoretical perspectives on early childhood development, and the Early Childhood Education Curriculum established by the Ministry of Education (2017). To assess the quality of the composed songs, the research team consults a panel of five experts, including three specialists in early childhood education and two music education specialists from the Yamaha Music Institute. The team selects these experts based on their professional qualifications and extensive experience in early childhood pedagogy and music instruction. Using a five-point Likert scale, the study evaluates six key criteria: (1) appropriateness of lyrics, (2) melodic and rhythmic appeal, (3) suitability of vocal range, (4) appropriateness of instrumentation, (5) contribution to child development, and (6) practical applicability in music activities. Researchers conduct a content analysis to interpret the data and present the results descriptively. The findings reveal that the composed songs align with the Early Childhood Education Curriculum and fall into four thematic units: (1) rhythm, featuring “Magical Rhythm” and “The Value of Notes”; (2) singing, including “Let’s Sing Together” and “Singing Do-Re-Mi with Joy”; (3) movement, with “The Elephant’s Gentle Walk” and “The Frog’s Joyful Leap”; and (4) playing musical instruments, incorporating “Drumming: Tuk-Tuk-Tum- Tum” and “Strumming the Guitar: Plak-Plak-Poong-Poong.” The compositions integrate simple rhythms, age-appropriate vocabulary, and accessible vocal ranges to facilitate learning, while repetitive elements enhance engagement and retention among young learners. Expert evaluations yield an overall mean score of 4.23 with a standard deviation of 0.56, confirming the songs’ suitability for early childhood music activities.

Keywords

• Early childhood music
• song composition
• music teaching activities

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