SONGS FROM THE HEART: A MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH PORTUGUESE TRADITION IN NURSERY SCHOOLS

Abstract

This study presents an educational intervention carried out in a nursery school setting, focused on exploring traditional Portuguese music as a resource for children's overall development and the construction of cultural identity. The project, entitled Songs from the Heart: A Musical Journey through The project, entitled: Songs from the Heart: A Musical Journey through Portuguese Tradition in Nursery School, was implemented with children between two and three years of age, through sequential activities that integrated stories, songs, dance, the construction of instruments with recycled materials, and the creation of a folklore area. Action research was the central methodology, allowing for continuous and systematic reflection on educational practice. Data collection was carried out through a logbook, observation grids, photographic and audiovisual records, children's productions, and informal interviews with the cooperating educator. Qualitative analysis, guided by predefined categories - activities carried out, interactions observed, children's reactions and pedagogical reflections - confirmed the relevance of the categories and allowed for the interpretation of the evidence. The results reveal that traditional music, when used as a pedagogical strategy, promotes attention, active participation, motor coordination, emotional expression and appreciation of local culture from early childhood, highlighting contributions to future pedagogical interventions and the formation of culturally sensitive and artistically expressive children.