Edwin Gordon's Early Childhood Music Education Research

Edwin E.Gordon(1927-)is a contemporary American music educator and music psychologist with a world-wide reputation.Since the late 1970 s,Gordon has focused his studies on early childhood music education,especially on the critical period of music learning for children aged 0 to 5.After years of personal practice,he established his early childhood music education theory,also known as “early childhood music learning theory”.Based on Piaget's modern children's cognitive development theory,his theory mainly uses the research methods and knowledge in psychology to explore the music learning path of early childhood,trying to reveal the mystery of early childhood music learning through abundant empirical researches.This paper is divided into four parts.The first part,introduction,overview research background and significance,domestic and foreign research status and research methods and so on,the expansion of this topic were carried out carding and bedding.The second part in theory is the overview of Gordon's early childhood music education theory,introducing Gordon's life,the raising of the theory as well as its principles and core ideas.Focus on the discussion the heart of the theory mainly from two aspects: Music Aptitude and Preparatory Music Audiation.Music aptitude refers to the potential of individuals in terms of music,which is the common product of congenital endowment and the childhood environment.It is mainly used in testing to identify one's potential in music so as to screen children with musical talent.Preparatory music audiation is the theoretical basis for early childhood education,suitable for infants who are still under the guidance of constructive and non-constructive informal music.Gordon believes that receiving preparatory music audiation is conductive to the development of children's music aptitude so that they can successfully enter the stage of music audiation.The third part explores the application of the only practical school in China to the Early Music Education of Gordon's children.This part mainly introduces the application of Beijing Little Oak kindergarten to early childhood music education of Gordon children,focusing on the specific practice of music activities and teaching cases.The fourth part,through the theory and practice of two the discussion,discusses the evaluation and the lessons of Gordon's theory,as well as the prospect of its localization in China.Finally conclusion,on the above studies,it can be seen that Gordon's early childhood music education has formed a unique system of learning and teaching,believing that more domestic education experts and scholars will pay close attention and contribute to its further application,dissemination and development.