Developmentally Appropriate Practice in a Yamaha Music School

Abstract

Pedagogical practices in a Yamaha Music School were explored using ethnographic techniques to collect data during one semester of instruction. Two groups of participants served as informants in this study: (1) children 4-6 years of age, who were enrolled in the Yamaha Junior Music Courses, and (2) their teachers and parents in the setting. Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) guidelines as published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children were the theoretical grounding for the study. The following question guided the investigation: In what ways are the events and interactions in a Yamaha music class congruent or incongruent with DAP guidelines ? Congruent events and interactions were the pace and variety of instructional activities, recognition of individuals, involvement of parents, and inclusion of dramatic play. Incongruent events and interactions were the approach to two-hand playing, fixed accompaniment tempos, minimal peer interactions, and fixed curricular goals.

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