Impact of specific music activities on developmental areas: ratings from parents and correlation with children’s music enrollment / Impacto de actividades musicales específicas en áreas de desarrollo: calificaciones de los padres y correlación con la inscripción de niños en actividades musicales

Abstract

Music activities are gaining attention due to their positive impact on young children’s holistic development. Guided by the theories of transfer of learning and concerted cultivation, this survey study conducted with 430 Hong Kong parents investigates: (1) parents’ ratings of the impact of specific music activities on developmental areas and correlation with key demographic factors; (2) parents’ likelihood of enrolling children in specific music activities; and (3) the correlation between ratings of music activities and likelihood of enrollment. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and independent t-test were conducted. Parents’ ratings of the impact of music activities on various developmental areas differed and correlated with family income, parents’ music background and parent–child relationship. Parents showed a high likelihood of enrolling children in all music activities, with instrumental music, expressive movement with music and singing/choir ranking top three. Higher ratings of the impact of specific music activities correlated with a higher likelihood of enrollment. This study provides relevant knowledge about parents’ views on music activities, highlighting the need for parental education to support children’s music education.