THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: PATHS AND POSSIBILITIES

Abstract

Music education, often underused in Early Childhood Education, has significant potential for the integral development of children. This study aimed to explore the perception of Basic Education teachers about the use of music education in their practices and to investigate the relationship between the frequency of music activities and the development of oral language in children aged 3 to 5 years. To this end, a review of specialized literature was carried out and a questionnaire was applied to 19 Early Childhood Education teachers. The data collected were analyzed qualitatively, seeking to identify the main music education practices and the challenges faced by teachers. In addition, a quantitative analysis of the data was carried out, with the aim of verifying whether there is a correlation between the frequency of music activities and the development of children's oral language, as reported by teachers. The results suggest that most teachers recognize the importance of music education for child development, but face difficulties related to lack of time, resources and specific training.