The Role of Family and Environmental Factors in The Early Identification of Musical Giftedness
Belgin Bağrıaçık - Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa - ORCID
Serap Emir - Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa - ORCID
Ahmet Serkan Ece - Ankara University of Music and Fine Arts - ORCID
Abstract
Gifted musical ability refers to a significantly higher level of performance than peers in creativity, musical perception, expression, and technical skill. It is conceptualized as a multidimensional and dynamic construct, framed by Gardner’s theory of musical intelligence, Gagné’s catalyst-based model, and Renzulli’s focus on task commitment. The 0–6 age range is a critical period during which musical stimuli have strong neurodevelopmental effects, supporting language, emotional, and social development. For innate potential (gift) to turn into realized talent, environmental catalysts such as family support, quality education, and rich cultural exposure are essential. Without sufficient environmental stimulation, these potential risks atrophy over time. Thus, music education should be viewed not as a privilege for a few but as a right for all, requiring early identification systems to account for socioeconomic inequality. This systematic review analyzed 12 studies focused on children aged 0–6, using thematic content analysis. International models like Japan’s Suzuki Method, the U.S. Music Together program, and Sweden’s inclusive public schools illustrate effective family–environment integration. In contrast, studies from Turkey highlight the absence of standardized identification protocols, limited parental education, and insufficient pedagogical training among teachers as key barriers to recognizing early musical talent.
Keyword: Early Childhood Identification
References
Addessi, AR, & Pachet, F (2005). Experiments with a musical machine: Musical style replication in 3- to 5-year-old children. British Journal of Music Education, 22(1), 21–46. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265051704005972
Bolat, EY (2017). Determination of preschool teachers’ views on music activities. Idil Journal of Art and Language, 6(35), 2073–2096.
Braun, V, & Clarke, V (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Cho, E (2015). The influence of parental involvement on children’s musical achievement in Korea. Korean Journal of Research in Music Education, 44(2), 123–142.
Davidson, JW, & Borthwick, SJ (2002). Family dynamics and family scripts: A case study of musical development. Psychology of Music, 30(1), 121–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735602301009
Freeman, J (2000). Children’s talent in fine art and music—England. Roeper Review, 22(2), 98–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783190009554010
Gagné, F (2009). Building gifts into talents: Detailed overview of the DMGT 2.0. In B. MacFarlane & T. Stambaugh (Eds.), Leading change in gifted education: The Festschrift of Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska (pp. 61–80).
Gardner, H (2011). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books.
Gembris, H, & Davidson, J (2002). Environmental influences. In R Parncutt, & GE McPherson (Eds), The science and psychology of music performance: Creative strategies for teaching and learning (pp 17–29). Oxford University Press.
Gough, D, Thomas, J, & Oliver, S (2017). An introduction to systematic reviews. SAGE Publications.
Güler, N (2015). The implementation of music activities by preschool teachers and the identification of their training needs (Doctoral dissertation, Anadolu University, Turkey).
Hallam, S (2010). The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social, and personal development of children and young people. International Journal of Music Education, 28(3), 269–289. https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761410370658
Herfindahl, NJ (2023). Creating talent: The effect of environment on the development of musical skill. [Unpublished manuscript].
Jaschke, AC, Papatzikis, E, & Haslbeck, FB (2025). Medical neurohumanities: Sharing insights from medicine, neuroscience, and music in paediatric care. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 19, 1648030. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2025.1648030
Karasar, N (2024). Scientific research method (39th ed.). Nobel Publishing.
McPherson, GE, Davidson, JW, & Faulkner, R (2012). Music in our lives: Rethinking musical ability, development, and identity. Oxford University Press.
Natati, A (2025). AMUSED—The musical activities in educational services from an integrated 0–6-year perspective.
Olszewski-Kubilius, P (2018). The role of the family in talent development. In S. I. Pfeiffer (Ed.), Handbook of giftedness in children: Psychoeducational theory, research, and best practices (pp. 129–147). Springer International Publishing.
Patton, MQ (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Puangsamlee, P (2025). The role of music activities in strengthening family bonds and early childhood care in vulnerable families. Mahidol Music Journal, 8(2), 157–174. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/mmj/article/view/276797
Renzulli, JS (2021). The three-ring conception of giftedness: A developmental model for promoting creative productivity 4. In J. A. Plucker (Ed.), Reflections on gifted education (pp. 55–90). Routledge.
Ripple, RE (1961). A controlled experiment in acceleration from the second to the fourth grade (Doctoral dissertation). The University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Schütz, A (2015). Making music together: A study in social relationship. In W Straw, S Johnson, R Sullivan, & P Friedlander (Eds.), The Routledge reader on the sociology of music (pp. 57–65). Routledge.
Suzuki, S (1989). Shinichi Suzuki: His speeches and essays. Alfred Music.
Wang, J (2025). Implementing parent-child drama and rhythmic play for early childhood development: An applied study of home-kindergarten collaborative models. Journal of Reproducible Research, 1, 45–58.
Wesseldijk, LW, Mosing, MA, & Ullén, F (2019). Gene–environment interaction in expertise: The importance of childhood environment for musical achievement. Developmental Psychology, 55(7), 1473–1481.
Young, S (2003). Music with the under-fours. Routledge.