Music Education in Early Childhood Education: Influence of the General Education Law on current regulations

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the evolution of the Musical Curriculum for the second cycle of Early Childhood Education in Spain from a historical perspective. Methodologically, a review and analysis of the legislative documents on Early Childhood Education from the end of the 19th century to the present has been carried out. To this end, a comprehensive review of the main legislative contributions in this context is carried out. The results reveal that since the 1980s to the present, there has been a trend toward a greater number of curricular elements in relation to the area of Music and, in addition, with respect to the different musical fields, it is seen that they too have undergone a progressive increase over time. The inclusion of the musical language within the area of Artistic Education is a premise that has remained present in all documents. The level of concretion of the normative text is discussed, which has been decreasing over time, contributing to greater freedom for the teacher when considering teaching practice in the classroom. The study of past references is considered necessary to adequately shape the new regulations, especially in a context such as Spain, characterized by constant change in the educational field.