Music education training for kindergarten teachers: a workshop integrating Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical reasoning and action model

Kindergarten teachers often express concerns about the insufficient preparation they receive in their training programs to effectively teach music. This lack of confidence in their music teaching and musical ability can impact their effectiveness of teaching, which in turn can affect children’s music learning. To address this deficiency in music training for preservice teachers, this study consists of a workshop that integrates Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through the Pedagogical Reasoning and Action Model (PRA). The workshop takes an experiential approach, moving away from the traditional separation of content knowledge and pedagogy. Nine participants took part in the workshop and were interviewed to address two research questions: 1. How do preservice teachers perceive the significance of their musical competence and music pedagogy skills when conducting a music lesson? 2. In what ways does the workshop contribute to the professional growth and effectiveness of preservice teachers in music teaching? The integrated approach employed in the workshop proved effective in enhancing the preservice teachers’ comprehension of PCK through PRA model. The study emphasizes the significance of designing training programs that encompass the breadth and depth of Shulman’s theory of teaching, equipping teachers to deliver music education.