Use of the MBEMA with preschoolers

Abstract: During this conference, we will present the adaptation of the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Musical Abilities (MBEMA) for children of pre-school age. This version of the battery, using a digital tablet, includes tests of melody, rhythm and memory. A pilot assessment was conducted with 100 French-speaking children aged between 3 and 5 years (N = 49 boys, 51 girls), from different socio-economic contexts in Quebec. Preliminary results show a gradual and significant improvement of musical skills based on the age of participants and their musical experience. Despite methodological limitations related to the young age of the subjects, the use of the MBEMA seems to represent a reliable assessment tool to measure musical skills during childhood.

Bio: Jonathan Bolduc holds a Canada Research Chair in music and learning. He is also an Associate Professor of music education for pre-school/elementary school at the Faculty of Music, where he also runs the laboratory Mus-Alpha.