The purpose of the master's thesis is to investigate the period in which musical abilities develop most intensively. Many experts, both pedagogues and scientists, note that the critical period for the development of musical abilities lasts mainly until entering school. To understand the critical period, we researched which musical abilities develop in a certain age period. We found that in children who grow up in an environment that has a positive influence on the development of musical abilities, fundamental musical abilities develop during this period, which deepen in later periods. Based on the research, we defined the notion of musical ability, which Pesek (1997) divided into five levels; congenital identity, abilities, giftedness, talent and musicality. We also found out to what extent musical abilities are genetically conditioned. We determined how musical skills can be developed during this period and presented the pedagogical approaches of four important music pedagogues (Dalcroze, Willems, Orff and Kodály). We noticed that they used different methods to develop musical abilities, but they all had a common awareness that the systematic research of all musical parameters in early childhood is important for the development of musical abilities, especially through experiential learning. We have highlighted some scientific research studies that prove the positive effects of playing music in different ways. We found that developing musical skills has a very positive effect on the psychophysical development of an individual. In the last part of the master's thesis, we determined how children's musical abilities are developed during a critical period in Slovenian music schools and kindergartens. We presented part of the curriculum for Slovenian public music schools and the curriculum of two private music schools, which introduce music to preschool children according to special pedagogical principles. Finally, we presented part of the curriculum of Slovenian kindergartens and concluded that the activities presented in the curriculum make sense. From the curriculum of preschool education, we found out how many study obligations are related to musical content and determined how to prepare for the implementation of musical activities in kindergarten.
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