The use of music in the Malaysian preschool classroom: case study of non-music teachers in a private preschool in Putra Point, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan / Didi Gloria Moo Rejoss

The purpose of this study was to investigate how non-music preschool teachers use music in their classroom and to identify what types of music activities and music materials that they use in their classroom. Four out of six preschool teachers from one private preschool located in Putra Point, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan were interviewed. Interview question was developed based on the research questions. The findings revealed that music is indeed present in this preschool. The preschool teachers acknowledged using music in their classroom by conducting a music class and integrated music into other subjects, apart from that music also used during assembly time every morning. Music activities used were primarily singing and dancing, and playing music instruments. The most common music materials that were used by the preschool teachers were themed CDs and the worksheet. The findings on preschool teachers' music experiences revealed that how it influenced the participants in using music in the classroom. Also, there are difficulties in using music in the classroom, which preschool teachers are lack of confidence. The findings of this researched also revealed the background of the participants, whereby all four of the preschool teachers were untrained in music, and did not possess qualification in early childhood education. The information gained from this study will help the researcher to identify how non-music preschool teachers use music in the classroom and to understand what the teachers faced when using music in the classroom.