Cassandra Tan, Group B

(1) Case 2

(2 ) Social skills

(3i) Rogow (1988) conducted a six month study on how different types of play influenced the ten children of which includes those with special needs and communication difficulties. Two children in this study were on medication for epilepsy. The three teachers involved in this study collected data weekly for 45 minutes each during the children’s free play time. They conducted up to six different categories of play to try to involve all children to in order to observe the children’s reactions. The six categories include: 1) Teacher initiation of play, 2) teachers participation, 3) teacher elaboration (allowing children to be aware of pretend play). 4) teacher assistance, 5) teacher praise, 6) teacher sit with group or holds child on lap while sitting with group.


(3ii) This study shows that the frequency of social play in the children with special needs during the six months, doubled. Children were now involved in social and collaborative play in at least one third of their play activities. It proves that teachers can close up the gaps between children’s social knowledge through activities and individualized planning.


(3iii) I think that this is beneficial to Kim as play activities tend to keep a child more focused since she is easily tired and distracted due to the medication. Through play activities, Kim will get to interact with both her teacher and her peers. Engaging her in activities that she chooses and the presence of a teacher during her play will significantly reduce the inappropriate and disruptive behaviors in class. I like the idea that the teachers participated in play to model role play where she could focus children’s attention which Kim lacks.


(3iv) The interventions conducted were on ten children with five with special needs. Although we would hardly get a scenario like this in a mainstream classroom, I think it is still possible for the teachers to be involved in children’s play. I would also include activities like puppet play for Kim to learn to express herself better as puppet play has therapeutic effects on children. According to the Epilepsy Action website (2009), research has also suggested that some children with epilepsy experiences learning difficulties, especially in mathematics and reading skills. This reflects the condition of Kim, therefore as Kim’s teacher, it would be very important to communicate with the special school that she is attending on what she is learning and how we can reinforce.


Reference:

British Epilepsy Association (2009). Learning, behaviour and epilepsy. Epilepsy Action. Retrieved September 4, 2009, from http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/behaviour.html

Rogow, S.M. (1988). Teachers at play: Strategies to promote social play between children with special needs and their non-handicapped peers. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from EBSCOhost database