Development of a Quantitative Methodology to Analyze the Growth of Recognition of Musical Elements in Early Childhood from a Viewpoint of Change of Body Movement

Abstract

It is widely viewed that music induced body movement of early childhood children changes reflecting progress of development stage of recognition of musical elements. The author had devised four-phased Music Expression Bringing-up (MEB) program to enhance music recognition of children and devised associated Music Test to evaluate recognition achievements based on respective development phase. As such framework successfully showed development of recognition, the author tried to introduce additional quantitative measure which observes body movements on each development phase utilizing 3D motion capture. In motion capture study, 3-year-old (n=28), 4-year-old (n=25), and 5-year-old (n=31) children participated in the every phase’s activity of MEB program. Applying such movement results of 4 and 5-year-old children at multiple development phases with MEB program results of relevant phases, statistically significant relationship was attained in ANOVA and relationship was depicted in Circular Affect. Results indicated that usage of 3D motion capture has consistent outcome with MEB program and body parts movements had the characteristic change of element in musical expression, especially, in the right hand. Combining 3D motion capture can identify development signals in movement of body parts and support to understand development achievements of children.