Music in preschool class: A quantitative study of factors that determine the extent of music in daily work in Swedish preschool classes

Abstract

The aim of this article is to highlight what opportunities a six year old in preschool class in Sweden might have for participating in and being inspired by music. We ask the following question: What factors determine how music teaching is conceived and carried out in preschool class? The present study is quantitative in character, and data were collected by means of a survey sent out to all teachers working with preschool classes in a Swedish city. We have brought a hermeneutic approach to bear on our comprehensive interpretations. Our conclusion, and the answer to the research question, is that the fundamental view of music education determines to what extent music teaching occurs, and how it is carried out, in preschool class.