Educational review of preschool teacher music curriculum at Southwest University

Music education is crucial for nurturing preschool-aged children’s development, as it aids in their cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Southwest University in China is one of the leading institutions in teacher education and offers dedicated courses on music education for preschool teacher training; however, its practicality is still under scrutiny. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the music instruction offered in the context of preschool educator preparation at Southwest University. Conducted from April 2023 to May 2025, the research utilized a mixed-methods approach that included curriculum document analysis, structured interviews with nine key informants, and survey data from 110 participating students and instructors. From the analysis, the curriculum developed from aesthetic and praxial music education theory was found to contain an imbalanced emphasis on theoretical knowledge, with insufficient attention to hands-on application, cultural diversity, and digital competency. Many students reported that theoretical content was disconnected from practice and challenging to translate into effective classroom instruction, especially given limited opportunities for real-world teaching experience. Interview findings also revealed a general lack of confidence in implementing music instruction aligned with the developmental needs of young children. Feedback strongly supported the implementation of an applied pedagogical framework that integrates formative assessment, collaborative teaching strategies, and culturally responsive practices. The study concludes that curriculum reform is necessary to better align theoretical instruction with practical application, enhance the use of educational technology, and improve teacher preparedness for diverse learning environments. Future recommendations include interdisciplinary research, longitudinal impact studies, and comparative analysis across institutions. The findings contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of music education in early childhood teaching programs and aligning it more closely with contemporary classroom demands.