Social interactions in the preschool music classroom: an exploratory case study

Abstract

This exploratory case study was designed to observe the social and emotional behaviors and interactions of preschool-aged children as well as those of their parents and teachers. In this study, I observed three preschool music classes with two different sets of teachers. I documented and analyzed behaviors, interactions, and musical experiences to study the varied social and emotional experiences that occur in preschool music classroom settings. I observed this setting over a six-week period of time; and created word lists to reduce the data and develop categories. Additionally, vignettes are provided for each category to demonstrate examples of these categories seen throughout this study. The six categories I identified are verbal expressions, non-verbal expressions with instruments, musical expressions, the a cappella phenomenon, activities encouraging empathetic understanding, and varied expressions in imaginative play. This study provided a look into social and emotional expressions, gestures, and interactions through a preschool musical experience.