Slovakia First Grade Primary School Curriculum - Music

Music education in Slovakia begins in kindergarten (ISCED 0) with daily activities based on children's musical abilities and skills. This foundation is built upon in the first grade of primary school (ISCED 1), where music is a compulsory subject for one 45-minute class per week.

First-grade music education aims to extend children's innate abilities, spontaneity, and playful tendencies. The curriculum emphasizes a holistic perception of the world, using music as a means of play, experimentation, and self-expression. Activities combine music with words, images, movement, and playing elementary musical instruments. Music teachers utilize textbooks designed for each grade level, incorporating regional folk music traditions and highlighting prominent local composers and performers. Each grade has performance and content standards outlining the skills students should master and the musical material to be covered. Some children also attend Primary Art Schools for instrumental training.