Special Needs Students and The Arts____________
Special Needs encompasses a wide range of diagnosed condition in children including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioural problems, medical illness and psychiatric conditions. The Arts can be a fantastic place for these children to be allowed to express their thought and feelings as well as their individuality, which they may be unable to do through other areas of Education.
Take for example a child with learning disabilities who is unable to express themselves in written word. This child may find they can use visual arts, dance or drama more fluidly to show how they are feeling or thinking as there is no pressure to produce a piece of written work. Another example may be a child with Down Syndrome. Children with this disorder generally have shorter attention spans, an activity that involves music and movement with constantly changing aspects, is more likely to keep the child motivated and involved than one that purely involves sitting at a desk reading or writing.
It is also important to treat a special needs student as one of the group. This set an example for the rest of the students that individuals should be respected irrelevant of their differences, needs or capabilities.
Through carefully scaffolded lessons and learning strategies educators can improve and encourage special needs students willingness to learn while giving them self confidence and a positive education experience.
Take for example a child with learning disabilities who is unable to express themselves in written word. This child may find they can use visual arts, dance or drama more fluidly to show how they are feeling or thinking as there is no pressure to produce a piece of written work. Another example may be a child with Down Syndrome. Children with this disorder generally have shorter attention spans, an activity that involves music and movement with constantly changing aspects, is more likely to keep the child motivated and involved than one that purely involves sitting at a desk reading or writing.
It is also important to treat a special needs student as one of the group. This set an example for the rest of the students that individuals should be respected irrelevant of their differences, needs or capabilities.
Through carefully scaffolded lessons and learning strategies educators can improve and encourage special needs students willingness to learn while giving them self confidence and a positive education experience.