Dance and Special Education

Abstract

Arts activities have been included in the educational curriculum of public schools for a number of years. Most often, course offerings in the arts consist of visual art, vocal music, and instrumental music classes. Although not as common, dance has also been included in the educational curriculum. Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that participating in dance activities can lead to positive student outcomes for students with and without exceptionalities. Dance activities appear to provide an alternative way to meet diverse learners' educational needs. Research suggests that participation in dance may also lead to improved physical fitness, socioemotional gains, and academic gains.

Investigation of the Effects of Dance Education Applied to 5-Year-Old Children on Their Social-Emotional Adjustment

“…A creative dance and movement program had been implemented in Head Start schools, and very positive effects of dance were observed on children's social skills (Lobo & Winsler, 2006). Researchers reported that dance increases pre-school children's social-emotional skills (Lorenzo Lasa, Ideishi, & Ideishi, 2007;Munsell, Bryant & Kimberly, 2015;Piermen, 2020) and communication skills (Pavlidou, Sofianidou, Lokosi & Kosmidou, 2018). Thom (2010) found that body and movement exercises in the pre-school curriculum positively affected children's social-emotional adjustments.…”

“…According to Munsell, Bryant, and Kimberly (2015), many structured programs have been developed to improve young children's social skills, but few have recognized the role of art in improving social skills. In fact, the role that dance and movement activities can play in the process has often been overlooked.…”

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“…Participating in dance activities offers an alternative way to complete students' education, with or without educational needs, by improving their physical condition and by influencing social, psychological and educational sectors (Munsell, Bryant & Kimberly, 2016;Reinders, Bryden & Fletcher, 2015). Cultural associations play an important role in dance, recreational activities, organizing dance activities and performances throughout Greece and abroad (Serbezis, 1995).…”

Η Συμβολή Εκπαιδευτικών Προγραμμάτων Παραδοσιακού Χορού Στην Ποιότητα Ζωής Και Τις Κοινωνικές Δεξιότητες Των Μαθητών

“…Οι χορευτικές δραστηριότητες προσφέρουν έναν εναλλακτικό τρόπο, για να συμπληρωθεί η εκπαίδευση μαθητών με ή χωρίς εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες, βελτιώνοντας την φυσική κατάσταση, και επιδρώντας σε κοινωνικο-ψυχολογικούς και ακαδημαϊκούς τομείς (Munsell, Bryant & Kimberly, 2016;Reinders, Bryden & Fletcher, 2015 ).…”

“…Τα αποτελέσματα συμφωνούν με μελέτες, οι οποίες αναφέρουν ότι η συμμετοχή σε χορευτικές δραστηριότητες, ως δραστηριότητες αναψυχής, σχετίζεται με χαμηλότερα επίπεδα παραβατικής συμπεριφοράς και υψηλότερα επίπεδα κοινωνικής συμπεριφοράς (Acquaviva, 2012;Mahoney & Stattin, 2000). Ακόμη, ότι οι χορευτικές δραστηριότητες προσφέρουν έναν εναλλακτικό τρόπο, για να συμπληρωθεί η εκπαίδευση μαθητών με ή χωρίς εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες, βελτιώνοντας την φυσική κατάσταση, και επιδρώντας σε κοινωνικο-ψυχολογικούς και ακαδημαϊκούς τομείς επίδοσης (Munsell, Bryant & Kimberly, 2016;Reinders, Bryden & Fletcher, 2015).…”