The aim of this master's thesis is to embrace the meaning of stress awareness and identify ways of how to effectively deal with it. Stress has a significant impact on the individual’s mental health and does not only affect adults, but can also affect smaller children. It is therefore important that when in class, the teacher is aware of the effects of stress, which enables him to successfully transfer his knowledge onto his students. The master's thesis focuses on the primary school teacher, who knows his students best and who can be flexible and creative with the implementation of different ways of relaxation, when it comes to organizing classes. One of the ways of relaxation is music because with its versatile effects it helps the individual to find comfort and to relax. The research was carried out through various musical relaxation techniques that were introduced to fifth graders.
This study was based on the implementation of musical activities into various stressful situations of fifth graders during class. Musical activities included musical performing (singing and instrumental performances), listening, as well as musical creativity. The study was carried out on 20 fifth graders in one class. Research results showed that when in class fifth graders experience most stress during exams (writing and oral). What is more, they are also concerned about certain subjects’ learning materials and not understanding them. Based on the acquired information, musical activities were formed and performed prior to stressful situations, e.g. writing and oral exams, with the initial purpose of relaxation. All nine musical activities that were carried out showed a positive and relaxing effect. Furthermore, the fifth graders rated the majority of the musical activities with the highest grade, irrespective of the musical activity performed and the stressful situation that followed in that particular class.
The results of this study will help to inform primary school teachers and with that students about possible difficulties that arise with stress, as well as various ways of relaxation, including music.
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