THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF TEACHING USING MUSIC AS A BASE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE PROGRAMS

Abstract

In recent years, driven by strong national policies, the early childhood care program has rapidly developed as an emerging field within vocational education. The implementation of policies such as the “14th Five-Year Plan for the Development and Enhancement of Early Childhood Education” has brought significant progress to the early childhood education sector while providing clear direction for the construction of early childhood care programs in vocational schools. This program aims to cultivate high-quality childcare professionals who meet societal demands. However, during its initial stages, vocational schools face challenges in curriculum design and teaching models, including a lack of systematic guidance in course structures, a disconnect between theory and practice, and insufficient focus on the comprehensive development of students.To address these challenges, the government has introduced a series of policy documents advocating innovative teaching concepts and models, strengthening curriculum integration, and nurturing versatile technical talents to meet societal needs. With the implementation of the "1+X" diploma and vocational skill certification system, vocational schools, particularly in the early childhood care program, face opportunities and challenges in curriculum integration and interdisciplinary teaching. In this context, interdisciplinary integration has been increasingly regarded as a crucial approach to improving the quality of teaching in early childhood care programs.In particular, the integration of music courses, with their unique artistic expressiveness and comprehensive nature, can effectively enhance students' overall competencies and innovation capabilities. The organic integration of music with other disciplines not only helps students establish a well-rounded knowledge system but also improves their problem-solving and analytical abilities, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.This thesis explores the integration of music courses into early childhood care curricula by constructing a scientifically sound teaching model to promote the comprehensive development of students, aligning with the societal demand for versatile childcare professionals. First, it analyzes the deficiencies in aligning teaching models with societal needs in the early childhood care program and emphasizes the importance of music education in early childhood education. As a unique art form, music not only stimulates students' learning interest but also fosters their aesthetic appreciation, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking Second, drawing on multiple intelligences theory, the 5E instructional model, and Fogarty’s curriculum integration theory, this thesis proposes a teaching model framework based on the integration of music. The aim is to enhance students' interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving abilities through cross-disciplinary interaction and integration.Through an analysis of questionnaire and interview data, this thesis further reveals the actual needs and challenges of integrating music into early childhood care curricula and provides practical suggestions for teaching practices. Finally, with expert evaluations of the applicability of the teaching model, the research demonstrates that the integration of music courses significantly enriches the teaching content of early childhood care programs, improves students' professional competitiveness, and offers new directions and insights for future curriculum reform and talent cultivation.