Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice

The priority of promoting children’s creativity and democracy in educa­tion, which includes values such as freedom of expression, competence, respect for diversity, empathy, collaboration, dialogue and the develop­ment of critical thinking and curiosity, is strongly supported by com­munities of prac...

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Main Authors: Blaženka Bačlija Sušić, Vesna Brebrić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Ljubljana 2025-06-01
Series:Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cepsj.si/index.php/cepsj/article/view/2025
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author Blaženka Bačlija Sušić
Vesna Brebrić
author_facet Blaženka Bačlija Sušić
Vesna Brebrić
author_sort Blaženka Bačlija Sušić
collection DOAJ
description The priority of promoting children’s creativity and democracy in educa­tion, which includes values such as freedom of expression, competence, respect for diversity, empathy, collaboration, dialogue and the develop­ment of critical thinking and curiosity, is strongly supported by com­munities of practice that foster these values and promote heuristic and sociocultural approaches to music learning and artistic expression. The research explored how children aged 5–10 years (N = 10) used musical and artistic forms for creative expression in music drama activities within a community of practice (music drama studio), and how elements of demo­cratic education were manifested in these activities. An ethnographic case study in early childhood education and care was used to explore children’s culture, experiences and actions through interactional and participatory observation methods. The data were analysed through a written proto­col of observation, transcriptions and video recordings. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used to better structure and interpret the data, organised into two main themes (categories): Forms of creative artistic expression and Democratic aspects of education. The conclusion emphasises that the integration of music, other arts and process drama within a community of practice, led by a skilled teacher, provides authen­tic learning opportunities that foster democratic artistic expression, crea­tivity and holistic development, preparing children for active citizenship.
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spelling doaj-art-d3eeebb777a44d19907667dc41c2f55f2025-08-20T02:34:53ZengUniversity of LjubljanaCenter for Educational Policy Studies Journal2232-26472025-06-0115220122610.26529/cepsj.2025Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of PracticeBlaženka Bačlija SušićVesna BrebrićThe priority of promoting children’s creativity and democracy in educa­tion, which includes values such as freedom of expression, competence, respect for diversity, empathy, collaboration, dialogue and the develop­ment of critical thinking and curiosity, is strongly supported by com­munities of practice that foster these values and promote heuristic and sociocultural approaches to music learning and artistic expression. The research explored how children aged 5–10 years (N = 10) used musical and artistic forms for creative expression in music drama activities within a community of practice (music drama studio), and how elements of demo­cratic education were manifested in these activities. An ethnographic case study in early childhood education and care was used to explore children’s culture, experiences and actions through interactional and participatory observation methods. The data were analysed through a written proto­col of observation, transcriptions and video recordings. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used to better structure and interpret the data, organised into two main themes (categories): Forms of creative artistic expression and Democratic aspects of education. The conclusion emphasises that the integration of music, other arts and process drama within a community of practice, led by a skilled teacher, provides authen­tic learning opportunities that foster democratic artistic expression, crea­tivity and holistic development, preparing children for active citizenship.https://cepsj.si/index.php/cepsj/article/view/2025children's creativitycommunity of practicedemocratic educationmusic and artistic expressionprocess drama
spellingShingle Blaženka Bačlija Sušić
Vesna Brebrić
Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal
children's creativity
community of practice
democratic education
music and artistic expression
process drama
title Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
title_full Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
title_fullStr Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
title_full_unstemmed Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
title_short Educating Children for Creativity and Democracy Through a Music and Drama Community of Practice
title_sort educating children for creativity and democracy through a music and drama community of practice
topic children's creativity
community of practice
democratic education
music and artistic expression
process drama
url https://cepsj.si/index.php/cepsj/article/view/2025
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