Novice Teachers' Implementation of Music in the Preschool Classrooms

Abstract

This study examines the level of implementation of music by novice preschool teachers in central region of Malaysia.  It also sought to investigate whether there is any difference in novice teachers' implementation of music in relation to teaching subject option and age group.  The specific content of the instrument items for implementation of music was developed by examining the 'Creativity Component of Physical and Aesthetic Strand in the National Preschool Curriculum Standard' (Ministry of Education Malaysia, 2010).  This instrument also reflected the previous work of Wu (1999), Kwan (2006) and Chan and Kwan (2010).  The sample consisted of 315 novice teachers.  The mean score of novice preschool teachers' implementation of music was 3.13 and the standard deviation was .57.  There was a significant difference in teachers' implementation of music in relation to teaching subject option for singing activities.  The significant difference was also existed in teachers' implementation of music in relation to age group for sound exploration activities.  It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of this study will contribute towards the improving the implementation of music by novice preschool teachers in their classrooms.