ERIC Number: EJ1324444
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Dec
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2515-0731
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Observations of Children with Disability during Arts-Based Multisensory Story and Rhyme Activities: Is It All Just Chimes and Perfumes?
Australasian Journal of Special and Inclusive Education, v45 n2 p237-251 Dec 2021
It is generally acknowledged that alternative strategies are required to enable children with disability to access storytelling activities. In this study, we sought to analyse the benefits of one such strategy: an arts-based multisensory story and rhyme program delivered to children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. In order to determine the engagement and impact of the program on the participants, data were collected through a series of multisensory session observations, focus group interviews with parents of participants, and interviews with performing artists delivering the program. The findings of this study revealed multiple benefits of using sensory stimuli to engage children with disability in storytelling processes, including increased engagement, focus, and interaction with other children and family members. The performing artists used their knowledge and skills to create an engaging environment that was responsive to the children's needs. It was observed that language development could be further enhanced by integrating written text into the performance and increasing the use of nonverbal communication methods. Further, the engagement of siblings without disability in this program suggested that it could be developed to be inclusive of children with and without disability.
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Art Education, Story Telling, Sensory Experience, Rhyme, Educational Benefits, Down Syndrome, Learner Engagement, Peer Relationship, Teaching Methods, Parent Attitudes, Artists, Language Acquisition, Performance, Inclusion, Student Needs, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Preschool Children, Children, Measures (Individuals), Family Programs, Case Studies, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A