Developing self-esteem through connections to music : assessing effects on self-esteem in Grade 3 students through learning to play the ukulele

Abstract

The goal of this mixed method research is to determine the effects of learning to play the ukulele on the self-esteem of Grade 3 students. Administration of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, parent surveys, anecdotal evidence, and oral and written student reflections were used during the 6 month instruction period. The research also investigated the effect of instruction on academic abilities and attendance and questioned whether this instruction is possible for an average elementary teacher with no formal music background. Student and parental feedback indicated increased student confidence, risk-taking, pride and responsibility in addition to learning to play a new instrument. Although quantitative data did not substantiate the qualitative data, the pressure of the standardized testing appeared to affect student?s attitude towards school. Attendance improved significantly during the testing period. More research needs to be conducted to investigate the effects of standardized testing on self-esteem.