Design of a music education program based on Kodaly approach in preschool music education

In this research, it is aimed to design a music education program based on Kodaly approach in the preschool period by emphasizing the importance of preschool music education. For this purpose, the basic principles of the Kodaly approach, educational tools, the situation of music education in Hungary, which is its origin, at different levels of education and how the approach is adapted to education systems in different countries are examined. It has been seen that many developed countries shape the approach in line with their own culture and use it in music education at all levels. In order to design a music education program to be used in preschool education in Turkey, a needs analysis was conducted to determine the goals and target behaviors of preschool music education. Qualitative research methods were used to solve the problems and sub-problems covered in the research, and a semi-structured interview form and literature review were used as data collection tools. As a result of interviews with music educators who are experts in the Kodaly approach, preschool and early childhood music education, the goals and target behaviors of preschool music education were determined. As a result of the research, thirty acquisitions were determined in preschool music education, seven of which were related to singing skills, six related to rhythmic skills, four related to internal auditory skills, and thirteen achievements related to recognizing musical concepts. A music curriculum design that includes content, learning-teaching situations has been prepared within the framework of the educational tools, educational philosophy and basic principles of the Kodaly approach. Keywords: Pre-school, music education, pre-school music education, curriculum design, Kodaly approach.