THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PIANO CURRICULUM FOR PROMOTING HOLISTIC CHILD DEVELOPMENT AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN NORTHERN JIANGSU PROVINCE, CHINA.

Abstract

This study, titled " The Development of a Piano Curriculum for Promoting Holistic Child Development among Elementary School-Aged Children in Northern Jiangsu Province, China",aims to: 1) analyse the current state and existing issues of piano education for children aged 3-6 in northern Jiangsu; 2) design and develop a piano curriculum suitable for children in northern Jiangsu based on this analysis; and 3) empirically demonstrate the significant reference value and guiding significance of the piano curriculum for children's comprehensive development and education.To achieve these objectives, this study employed a mixed-methods research approach. Data collection included distributing questionnaires to parents of children learning piano in the northern Jiangsu region.A total of 375 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 150 valid responses. Questionnaires were also distributed to piano teachers, with 150 distributed and 60 valid responses obtained. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with professors from Jiangsu Normal University and Jiangnan University, and the principal of Xuzhou Economic Development Zone Kindergarten. Children aged 3–6 from two kindergartens in Northern Jiangsu were selected as the sample. The investigation revealed that piano education should prioritise cultivating musical perception, while premature technical training may hinder children's natural development. The results also showed that a lack of comprehensive developmental capabilities, and the neglect of musical appreciation cultivation of impedechildren’s holistic development, and reduce learning to mechanical repetition. The findings indicate that piano curriculum provides significant reference points for children's holistic development and education. They enrich early childhood piano teaching practices, lay a solid foundation for lifelong learning, and promote children's holistic development in social, psychological, intellectual, and physical health.

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