International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

Li Jinhui's Kindergarten Music Textbook and its Compatibility with Today’s Preschool Music Education in China

Open access
Since the beginning of the 20th century, along with China’s preschool curriculum, music education has experienced more than 100 years of development. In China, music is an important subject in promoting children’s physical and mental development. Li Jinhui (1891?1967) was a prolific composer who penned many famous songs and children’s musicals. However, from the late 1920s, he became a controversial figure; his work was termed as “yellow music” by critics due to his popular music compositions being claimed to relate to pornography. While many prior studies have focused on Li’s popular works and children’s musicals, this study revisits his significance in music education in China. This study analyzes an important work, Li’s textbook on the approach and teaching method in kindergarten education published in 1933. Li Jinhui was the first person to publish kindergarten music textbooks according to the official curriculum standard issued by the Nanjing government. The analysis revealed that the approach Li suggested for preschoolers’ music learning is compatible with China’s current goals in music education. The systematically arranged content of this textbook could also solve the problem of inconsistencies in the current curriculum.

Beall, P. C., & Nipp, S. H. (2016). European and American classic nursery rhymes series. Chinese Translation Publishing House.
Chen, X. (2021). Research on the problems and strategies of preschool teachers' music literacy. Art Appraisal, (20), 183–185.
Chen, Z., & Gu, H. (1923). A thousand Chinese folk songs (Part 1). Shanghai Kaihua Bookstore.
Corrigall, K. A., & Schellenberg, E. G. (2013). Music: The language of emotion. In C. Mohiyeddini, M. Eysenck, & S. Bauer (Eds.), Handbook of psychology of emotions (Vol 2): Recent theoretical perspectives and novel empirical findings. (pp. 299–325). Nova Science Publishers.
Cottrell, J. (1987). Creative drama in the classroom, grades 4-6: Teacher's resource book for theatre arts. National Textbook Company.
Dai, M. (2019). The great significance of strengthening patriotic education in the new era. Ningxia News.
http://www.nxnews.net/zt/2019/jq/plbd/201911/t20191115_6484430.html
Du, J., & Du, X. (2018). Commentary on school songs in the late Qing Dynasty. Journal of Mianyang Normal University, 37(9), 74–78. https://doi.org/10.16276/j.cnki.cn51-1670/g.2018.09.014
Feierabend, J. M., Saunders, T. C., Holahan, J. M., & Getnick, P. E. (1998). Song recognition among preschool-age children: An investigation of words and music. Journal of Research in Music Education, 46(3), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345547
Flowers, P. J., & Dunne-Sousa, D. (1990). Pitch-pattern accuracy, tonality, and vocal range in preschool children's singing. Journal of Research in Music Education, 38(2), 102–114. https://doi.org/10.2307/3344930
Fu, G. (2021). Little rabbit. Children's Music, (1), 58–62, 65.
Gak, D. M. (2011). Textbook-An important element in the teaching process. Hatchaba Journal, 19(2), 78–82.
Gregory, A. H., Worrall, L., & Sarge, A. (1996). The development of emotional responses to music in young children. Motivation and Emotion, 20(4), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02856522
Gruhn, W. (2005). Children need music. International Journal of Music Education, 23(2), 99–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761405052400
Gu, M., & Zhang, D. (2016). Centenary of China's school system. Educational Science Press.
Hadar, L. L. (2017). Opportunities to learn: Mathematics textbooks and students’ achievements. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 55, 153–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.STUEDUC.2017.10.002
Halstead, J. M., & Taylor, M. J. (2000). Learning and teaching about values: A review of recent research. Cambridge Journal of Education, 30(2), 169–202.
https://doi.org/10.1080/713657146
Han, T., & Wu, X. (2010). Small problems, big thinking: Investigation and analysis of the mistakes in the current kindergarten music teaching materials. Chinese Music Education, (7), 55–56.
He, Y. (2013). Musician Li Jinhui's 'controversial' artistic contribution. Lantai World, (31), 26–27. https://doi.org/10.16565/j.cnki.1006-7744.2013.31.054
Hei, T. S. (1932). A short discussion on Chinese song and dance. Film Art, 1(2), 35.
Hong, Y. (1928). Fourth high school and Li Jinhui. Small Daily, 2.
Huang, B., & Li, J. (1923). Draft outline of the primary school curriculum under the new academic system music curriculum outline. Education Magazine, 15(4), 20–21.
Huang, Y. (2020). Talking about the research on the music curriculum setting of college pre-school education major. Drama House, (25), 99–100.
Huarui Tongsheng Children's Art Education Research Center. (2018). Kindergarten Orff music game course - Colorful notes. Wuhan Publishing House.
Jackson, A., & Leahy, H. R. (2005). ‘Seeing it for real …?’: Authenticity, theatre and learning in museums This article draws on the combined efforts of the research team: Anthony Jackson, Helen Rees Leahy, Paul Johnson (Research Assistant, Centre for Applied Theatre Research, Manchester University) and Verity Walker (museum consultant and director of ‘Interpret-action’). Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 10(3), 303–325.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13569780500275956
Jacobi-Karna, K. L. (1996). The effects of the inclusion of text on the singing accuracy of preschool children [Unpublished master's thesis, The University of Arizona]. Tucson, AZ.
Jaques-Dalcroze, É. (1920). Rhythmic movement. Novello & Co.
Jiang, X. L. (2022). Research on educational strategies for the development of senior high school students under the background of three children. Contemporary Family Education, (11), 32–34.
Jones, A. F. (2001). Yellow music: Media culture and colonial modernity in the Chinese jazz age. Duke University Press.
Kratus, J. (1993). A developmental study of children's interpretation of emotion in music. Psychology of Music, 21(1), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/030573569302100101
Larsen, N. E., Lee, K., & Ganea, P. A. (2018). Do storybooks with anthropomorphized animal characters promote prosocial behaviors in young children? Developmental Science, 21(3), Article e12590. https://doi.org/10.1111/DESC.12590
Legg, R., & Green, A. (2015). Music theatre: at the crest of music education’s third wave. Curriculum Journal, 26(4), 518–533. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585176.2015.1060893
Levinowitz, L. M. (1989). An investigation of preschool children's comparative capability to sing songs with and without words. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, (100), 14–19.
Li, J. (1923). Artistic primary education. Primary Educcation, 1(3), 518.
Li, J. (1933). Popular textbooks kindergarten music textbooks textbooks and teaching methods. Popular Bookstore.
Li, J. (1965). Me and Mingyue society. In Xiangtan literature and history: Li Jinhui (pp. 11–77). Unpublished Book.
Li, J. (2019). Research on Li Jinhui's "Popular music textbook" [Unpublished master's thesis, Wenzhou University]. Wenzhou.
Li, S. (2011). My father Li Jinhui. Unity Press.
Li, Y. (2002). Winter is coming, can spring be far behind? ? The main points of the academic seminar commemorating the 110th anniversary of Li Jinhui's birth. Chinese Musicology, (1), 141–144. https://doi.org/10.14113/j.cnki.cn11-1316/j.2002.01.014
Li, Z. (2012). The complete works of Li Jinhui children's song and dance music. Shanghai Dictionary Publishing House.
Liang, Y. (2021). Research on Li Jinhui's song and dance music "The sparrow and the child". Voice of the Yellow River, (10), 155–157.
https://doi.org/10.19340/j.cnki.hhzs.2021.10.049
Lin, P. (2007). Research on Li Jinhui's children's song and dance drama [Unpublished master's thesis, Fujian Normal University]. Fuzhou.
Liu, J. (2019). Investigation and analysis of the current situation of preschool music education. Science and Education Literature, (9), 156–157.
https://doi.org/10.16871/j.cnki.kjwhc.2019.03.067
Liu, W. (2022). Research on the current situation and strategies of preschool music curriculum setting: Taking the School of Education and Art of Shandong Petrochemical Institute as an example. Contemporary Music, (4), 63–65.
Liu, X. (1999). The practical significance of Li Jinhui's children's song and dance drama. Journal of Wuhan Institute of Education, (4), 106–108.
Liu, X., Wang, L., & Zhu, L. (2021). Investigation and research on the current situation of the use of teaching materials in rural kindergartens: Taking Yibin City, Sichuan Province as an example. Teacher Education Forum, 34(10), 83–85.
Liu, Y. (1997). Some thoughts on the compilation of kindergarten music appreciation textbooks. Curriculum. Textbook. Teaching Method, (11), 56–58.
https://doi.org/10.19877/j.cnki.kcjcjf.1997.11.015
Liu, Y. (2017). On the selection of kindergarten music textbooks. Art Technology, 30(2), 45.
Loizou, E., Michaelides, A., & Georgiou, A. (2019). Early childhood teacher involvement in children’s socio-dramatic play: creative drama as a scaffolding tool. Early Child Development and Care, 189(4), 600–612.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1336165
Luo, X., & Xiao, Y. (2016). The role of creative drama courses on the professional development of kindergarten teachers. Preschool Education Research, (7), 70–72.
https://doi.org/10.13861/j.cnki.sece.2016.07.011
Ma, R. (2015). The father of pop music: Li Jinhui's influence on Chinese popular music. Art Appreciation, 8, 218.
Malik, F., & Marwaha, R. (2023). Developmental stages of social emotional development in children. StatPearls Publishing.
Meng, X. (2023). Aesthetic misconceptions and countermeasures of music training institutions under the “double reduction” policy. Art Review, (6), 177–180.
Ministry of Education of China. (2001). Notice of the Ministry of Education on printing and distributing the "Guidelines for Kindergarten Education (Trial)". http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A06/s3327/200107/t20010702_81984.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2012). Notice of the Ministry of Education on printing and distributing the "Guidelines for the learning and development of children aged 3-6". Ministry of Education of China.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A06/s3327/201210/t20121009_143254.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2016a). Reply of the Ministry of Education to recommendation No. 5840 of the Fourth Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress. Ministry of Education of China.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/xxgk_jyta/jyta_mzs/201611/t20161111_288495.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2016b). Kindergarten work procedures. Ministry of Education of China. 5. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5067918.htm
Ministry of Education of China. (2017). Letter on the response to proposal No. 3357 (education No. 334) of the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/xxgk_jyta/jyta_twys/201803/t20180306_328996.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2020). The Ministry of Education and other five departments issued a notice on "Opinions on further strengthening and standardizing the management of education fees". Ministry of Education of China. http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A05/s7503/202008/t20200827_480721.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2020a). Announcement of the Ministry of Education on public solicitation of the "Draft of the preschool education law of the People's Republic of China (draft for comment)". Ministry of Education of China. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s248/202009/t20200907_485819.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2020b). Letter on the reply to the proposal No. 2112 (Education No. 175) of the Third Session of the Thirteenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Ministry of Education of China. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/xxgk_jyta/jyta_twys/202102/t20210201_512013.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2021a). Letter on the reply to proposal No. 3319 (education No. 229) of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/xxgk_jyta/jyta_twys/202205/t20220505_624753.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2021b). Notice of nine departments including the Ministry of Education on printing and distributing the "14th five-year plan" action plan for the development and improvement of preschool education and the "14th five-year plan" action plan for the development and improvement of high schools in county areas. Ministry of Education of China.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A06/s7053/202112/t20211216_587718.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2021c, October 18). Reply to recommendation No. 7298 of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress. Ministry of Education of China.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/xxgk_jyta/jyta_twys/202111/t20211102_577150.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2022). Notice of the Ministry of Education on printing and distributing the "Guidelines for quality evaluation of kindergarten care education". http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A06/s3327/202202/t20220214_599198.html
Ministry of Education of China. (2023). 2022 statistical bulletin on national education development. Ministry of Education of China.
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_sjzl/sjzl_fztjgb/202307/t20230705_1067278.html
Mithans, M., & Grmek, M. I. (2020). The use of textbooks in the teaching-learning process. In A. Lipovec, J. Batic, & E. Kranjec (Eds.), New horizons in subject-specific education: Research aspects of subject-specific didactics (pp. 201–228). University of Maribor Press. https://doi.org/10.18690/978-961-286-358-6.10
Moore, M. M. (2004). Using drama as an effective method to teach elementary students [Unpublished master's thesis, Eastern Michigan University]. Ypsilanti, MI.
Ozturk, E., & Can, A. A. (2020). The effect of music education on the social values of preschool childreni. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 15(5), 1053–1064. https://doi.org/10.18844/CJES.V15I5.5150
Pan, C. (2021). Content selection and presentation of music teaching materials. Chinese Music Education, (4), 63–67.
Pons, F., Harris, P. L., & de Rosnay, M. (2004). Emotion comprehension between 3 and 11 years: Developmental periods and hierarchical organization. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 1(2), 127–152.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17405620344000022
Ren, J. (2023). The application of multimedia in music education in kindergartens. Arts and Science Navigation, (5), 91–93.
Saarikallio, S., Tervaniemi, M., Yrtti, A., & Huotilainen, M. (2019). Expression of emotion through musical parameters in 3- and 5-year-olds. Music Education Research, 21(5), 596–605. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2019.1670150
Seoane, D. A., & Rodriguez, J. R. (2021). The role of teaching materials in educational innovation in early childhood education. initial reflections and analysis of good practices. In P. Bagoly-Simó & Z. Sikorová (Eds.), Textbooks and educational media: perspectives from subject education (pp. 77–89). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80346-9_7
Shen, W. (1936). Thieves steal soy tank. In W. Shen (Ed.), Forty folk songs (pp. 27). Commercial Press.
Shi, J. (2013). "Sinicization" of the content of children's music textbooks: Interpretation of Li Jinhui's "Kindergarten music textbooks and teaching methods". People's Music, (3), 58–61.
Sina. (2006). Chongqing Copyright Bureau "wanted" "Little rabbit" nationwide. Sina. http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-10-07/142010175515s.shtml
Sinaga, F. S. H. S., Maestro, E., Winangsit, E., & Yensharti, Y. (2019). Learning and Singing: Thematic Children Songs in Kindergarten. In Seventh International Conference on Languages and Arts (ICLA 2018) (pp. 143-151). Atlantis Press.
State Council of China. (2021). Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on optimizing the childbirth policy and promoting long-term balanced population development. State Council of China. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/20/content_5626190.htm
Sun, H. (2017). Children's songs. Jilin Photography Press.
Sun, J. (1988a). Chronicle of Li Jinhui. Qilu Art Garden, (1), 52–55.
Sun, J. (1988b). Chronicle of Li Jinhui (continued). Qilu Art Garden, (4), 54–56.
Sun, J. (1988c). Chronicle of Li Jinhui (continued). Qilu Art Garden, (3), 54–55.
Sun, J. (1988d). Chronicle of Li Jinhui (continued). Qilu Art Garden, (2), 53–56.
Sun, J. (2007). Li Jinhui and Li style music. Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press.
Sun, J. (2012). History of music education in modern China: 1840-2000. Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press.
Tang, G. (2006). The author of "Little Rabbit Obediently" was found in Shanghai (photos). Sohu. http://news.sohu.com/20061009/n245681260.shtml
Tang, Y. (2023). Research on the integration of kindergarten 0-6-year-old nursery and preschool education services facing 2035 under the background of popularization and inclusiveness. Education Economics Review, 8(1), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.19512/j.cnki.issn2096-2088.2023.01.006
Vist, T. (2011). Music experience in early childhood: Potential for emotion knowledge? International Journal of Early Childhood, 43(3), 277–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13158-011-0045-7
von Salisch, M., Haenel, M., & Freund, P. A. (2013). Emotion understanding and cognitive abilities in young children. Learning and Individual Differences, 26, 15–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LINDIF.2013.04.001
Wang, C. (2018). Li Jinhui's influence on the creation of Chinese popular music in the early 20th century. Contemporary Music, (8), 149–151.
Wang, J., & Long, L. (2018). Li Jinhui's research on the role of children's music in primary school music education. Journal of Ningbo University, 40(1), 123–127.
Wu, X. (2008). A model work combining children's character, drama and nationality: Comment on Li Jinhui and his children's song and dance drama "The sparrow and the child". Writer, 12, 240.
Xiang, Y. (1994). You should look back again??After reading "Li Jinhui's commentary on Fu". Music Art. Journal of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, (4), 62–65. https://doi.org/10.19359/j.cn31-1004/j.1994.04.011
Xiang, Y. (2015). On Li Jinhui's "family love songs". Singing World, (5), 22–31.
Xing, X. (1989). Why did Li Jinhui write "yellow songs". Symphony. Journal of Xi'an Conservatory of Music, (1), 29–31.
Xu, N. (2023). The development course of Chinese children's songs. Drama Monthly, (1), 118–119.
Yan, T. (2007). Dialect and modern Chinese poetry [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Sichuan University]. Chengdu.
Yin, X. (2020). Comments on "Children's talk" Kai Meng Yang Zheng. Cultural Journal, (8), 235–237.
You, D., & Chen, Q. (2021). Analysis on resource supply and service extension of preschool education under the three-child policy. Journal of Heilongjiang Institute of Technology, 21(10), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.16792/j.cnki.1672-6758.2021.10.008
Zachopoulou, E., Derri, V., Chatzopoulos, D., & Ellinoudis, T. (2003). Application of Orff and Dalcroze activities in preschool children: Do they affect the level of rhythmic ability? Physical Educator, 60(2), 50–56.
Zachopoulou, E., Tsapakidou, A., & Derri, V. (2004). The effects of a developmentally appropriate music and movement program on motor performance. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19(4), 631–642. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECRESQ.2004.10.005
Zhang, G. (2017). A probe into the development of preschool music education. Drama House, (19), 169.
Zhang, Y. (1936). Nursery rhymes. In Xi'an Women's Normal School (Ed.), Collection of songs of Guanzhong (pp. 50–51). Printing Factory.
Zhu, T. (1933). Nursery rhyme collection. Commercial Press.
Zhu, Y. (1933). Untitled (narrative). In Y. Z. Zhu, B. Z. Hua, & Z. H. Liu (Eds.), Complete works of folk songs (pp. 30). World Bookstore.
Zou, J. (2020). Effective implementation of puppet theater courses in kindergartens. Enlightenment and Wisdom, (2), 58.
Zou, L. (2009). Li Jinhui's influence on Chinese popular music. News Buffs, (16), 140–141.