Musical Development in Preschool Disadvantaged Children

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a structured program of musical training on the musical abilities of preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds. All the children in one advantaged school and one disadvantaged school were given musical instruction. A second pair of preschools (one advantaged and one disadvantaged) were used as control groups. All children were pre- and posttested with an especially designed primary music ability test. Data from these tests were analyzed by means of an A x B two-factor design using 32 individuals in each of the four cells for a total N of 128.

Results showed no statistical difference between abilities of the two advantaged groups of children and the disadvantaged group that had received instruction. The overall conclusion was that the type of instruction offered in this project was effective for all, regardless of environmental background.