Lived Experiences of First-Time Caregivers in Early Childhood Music Classes

Authors

Abstract

While scholars are interested in parent perspectives on early childhood (EC) music education, the perspectives of first-time attendees and non-maternal caregivers are relatively unexamined. Using phenomenology as both a method and a theoretical frame, we followed ten caregivers (three fathers and seven mothers) as they engaged in their first experience as caregivers accompanying their children to play-based, child-led EC music classes. Through analysis of pre- and post- interviews, biweekly email check-ins, memos, and field notes from observations, we distilled four essences of first-time experience: Being Family, Fitting In, Engaging with Others, and Having Fun. In this article, we describe each essence and offer interpretation through our lens as mothers, scholars, and EC teachers.

Author Biographies

Karen Salvador, Michigan State University

Karen Salvador is an assistant professor of music education at Michigan State University, where she also directs the affiliated Community Music School's early childhood programmes in East Lansing and Detroit.

Whitney Mayo, Michigan State University

Whitney Mayo is a PhD candidate in Music Education at Michigan State University's College of Music .

Published

2023-01-18

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2022): International Journal of Music in Early Childhood

Section

Research Articles