Research into nursery environment with musical instruments

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14148
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 09030:Childhood and nursery/pre-school education-related
• Research Institution: Kyoei University (2021-2023); University of the Sacred Heart (2020); Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Ihara Sayuri 共栄大学, 教育学部, 講師 (50837490)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 音楽教育 / 楽器 / 幼児 / モーションキャプチャ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the nuances of body movements when engaging with musical instruments, with a focus on playing the djembe. In recent years, developmental research has underscored the significance of exploratory experiences during infancy. This study aims to delineate the characteristics of body movements related to musical instruments, and provide guidelines for selecting appropriate instruments based on these characteristics and the childcare environment in the future. A marker-less motion capture system (developed using Microsoft Kinect V2) was employed to measure the hand movements of young children and adults while playing the djembe. The results revealed that older children and adults showed greater regularity in their movements, with tapping becoming more intentional. The findings indicate that engaging in exploratory experiences with musical instruments during childhood forms the basis for playing these musical instruments with intent.

Free Research Field

音楽教育学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

幼児と楽器に関する従来の研究は、音楽の認知能力の解明ばかりに重きが置かれてきた傾向がある。本研究はそうした視点ではなく、楽器とかかわる幼児の姿から発達をボトムアップ的に捉えようとするものである。本研究結果により、将来的に多くの保育現場で慣習的に用いられている楽器が見直され、幼児の主体性を尊重した実践が各所で実現可能となることが期待される。