Documentation of Ebira folksongs: A dynamic innovation towards qualitative childhood education in Kogi State

Abstract

Education is a right for every child in Nigeria. The early years of a child’s life are crucial and form the foundation of what the child becomes later in life. This has been the affirmation of the World Summit on the state of global children, which led to the inclusion and expansion of early childhood care and education in Nigeria. Consequently, early Childhood education is the most critical period in human development. This paper, therefore, examines the importance of early childhood care, the need for documentation and preservation of historical materials and manuscripts, e.g. folk songs for use in childhood development. This study x-rays the importance of folksongs in a classroom setting for the promotion of music education in formative stages of the child. The Ebira people’s musical culture is one that gives children the freedom of expression and through these efforts the children learn and gain insight in formal education. The advocacy for documentation of folksongs for future use in schools, especially in the imparting knowledge is quite imperative. Folksongs provide innovative methods for educators in teaching/learning activities for the improvement of quality education as well as conscious development of cultural heritage especially at the early childhood stages.