Performing Arts for the Children with Special Needs

Karen Ellyn Dollaga

Legacy Member
On my 1st year of teaching, I was given a section of children with special needs. There are 10 kids from ages 8 to 18 years old with different challenges. I need to come up with a plan to teach them even though their cases are different from one another.

During the first week, I noticed that we can hardly understand each other because they have speech problems. It was difficult for them to talk and it was challenging for me to understand them. I introduce them to the Basic Theatre Workshop.

The Basic Theatre Workshop teaches the students to vocalize, play with sounds, sing, and breathing exercises. We also learn to dance, act and express themselves. I want them to be confident, independent and resilient. They were allowed to be who they are and transform into something they wish to be.

Few months pass, I saw changes in how they behave, in and out of the classroom. They began interacting with the other students and the people that surround them. They love going to school and enjoys the learning. Teaching basic theatre workshop that is tailored to children with special needs is something I want to do once more.

How about you? Do you about it?
 
I have watched children with special needs perform on stage and it was impressive. I think it takes extra time and commitment from both the trainer and the performers to accomplish the desired results.
 
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