Non-formal education: peculiarities of preschool music education of early age children

ENThis article presents the analysis of Lithuaniaís and some other countriesí preschool musical education curricula (at childrenís early age). In the light of the priorities and the objectives of foreign and Lithuanian education policy, philosophical and psychological directions of childrenís educational programs, educational curriculum strategies, young childrenís musical educational goals, objectives, educational content, methods, techniques and childrenís musical activities are introduced. Great attention is paid to vocal education and singing as one of the most valuable and easily accessible variety of preschool childrenís musical activities. The attention is paid to the forms of non-formal education - the generalization of the diversity of preschool musical education curricula. The results reveal that the types of early age children's musical activities presented in the programmes of the countries (Australia, the USA, Canada, Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Germany) analysed are the following: listening to music, singing, rhythmic activities, playing the instruments, music composition works; singing and vocal education is stressed as an especially significant factor while developing a fully-fledged personality; musical activity is mostly integrated into a childís daily activities, and musical education in foreign countries, contrary to Lithuania is taken care of by the groupís educator.