Investigating Teacher Practices in Integrating Indigenous Songs for Play Based Learning in Early Childhood Education Centers: A Case Study of Ndola District, Zambia

Early childhood education (ECE) provides a critical opportunity to shape holistic development through learning experiences that are meaningful, culturally grounded, and developmentally appropriate. Within this context, integrating indigenous songs into play-based learning offers a pedagogical approach that aligns children’s natural modes of play with their cultural heritage, thereby strengthening cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural development in early learning settings. This study investigates teachers’ practices and experiences in integrating indigenous songs into play-based learning in ECE centres in Ndola District, Zambia, with particular attention to how these songs are incorporated into teaching and their influence on children’s learning outcomes. The study employed a multiple case study design, using a combination of non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews with educators and administrators, and focus group discussions with parents. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 15 participants, including five ECE teachers and children aged 4-5, five school administrators, and five parents from five schools. To ensure balanced representation, the study also employed stratified sampling based on population density. Two schools were selected from zones 7 and 8 (high density), two from zones 3 and 4 (medium density), and one from zone 1 (low density). The key findings reveal that teachers use indigenous songs in a variety of subjects, including literacy, numeracy, and social studies, as well as in promoting cultural values and social skills. These songs enhance children's cognitive, emotional, and social development by reinforcing language acquisition, memory, and cultural identity. However, several challenges hinder the effective integration of indigenous songs, such as a lack of resources, inadequate teacher training, and insufficient access to culturally relevant materials. The study proposes recommendations to improve the integration of indigenous songs, including developing resource books, and indigenous data base, providing professional development programmes for teachers, and strengthening community school partnerships to ensure the cultural authenticity and sustainability of the songs used in classrooms. Overall, the study underscores the importance of strategically supporting teachers and schools to embed indigenous songs meaningfully within the curriculum, thereby enhancing culturally responsive pedagogy while safeguarding indigenous musical heritage for future generations.