Windows on children’s perspectives on music in their lives: visual research methods in music education research

Participatory and visual methods are widely used in early childhood research to access children’s perspectives. Music activities play an important role in many children’s lives in home and school settings, with formal and informal music experiences enhancing academic achievement. This chapter reports on children’s perceptions and uses of music in family lives and at school. Data were generated with children aged between four and eight years who participated in drawing-elicited focus group discussions. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for emerging themes. The ndings show that children recognized the intrinsic value of music; sang and played musical games; made music at home and in a car; played musical instruments; accessed music using technology; used music for mood and self-regulation; built social interactions and condence through music; and identied music’s positive impact on literacy and numeracy development. The study demonstrates that visual research methods are particularly useful when working with young children.