Dance Can Bring Joy to the World of Special Needs Children

A few days back, I went to a school specially designed to meet the academic and behavioral learning objectives of special needs children. A two week program was organized to provide dance training for the students. It was a great experience to see students moving their hands and legs in the special and uniform movement of dance. I could see such happiness and joy on innocent faces as students danced to the tunes of music and let themselves flow about the classroom. They were dancing so beautifully that it was difficult to explain in words how dance movements transformed students with special needs into dancers. Every child was dancing in his/her own special way. From that experience, it was apparent to me as an observer that dance can bring great joy and happiness in the life of special needs children and transform them in a diversity of ways.

School can play an important role in enhancing the art of dance training for special needs children. Special dance classes should be organized by the school authorities as additional resources and experiences for students who may have behavioral or social concerns that could be addressed through dance classes and movement. Extra dance classes should be arranged by the school communities for special needs children who are interested in dancing and for those who should be encourage to give dancing a try.

Special dance teachers can also play an important role while teaching dance to special needs children. Teachers have to remain very calm and patient while teaching students the art of dance. If a child wants to dance to a particular song, teachers should play that particular song for the child. Every child should feel special while learning the art of dance. Teachers must work hard to keep the individuality of every special needs child in mind by spending time reviewing their IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and seeing how dance can help students in the classroom.

Teachers can arrange various dance competitions to further stimulate student engagement and dance participation. In this way, students who exhibit an urge for excellence and competition in dance can flourish to achieve maximum results in dance movement and outcome. Special needs children can get satisfaction for their dance participation and can feel happiness and joy in the freedom of dancing . Dance classes in schools can help special needs children to become healthier; physically, mentally and emotionally. Being involved in dancing can also result in students with special needs strengthening their relations with peers and teachers. An additional bonus is that dancing may parlay into academic and behavioral improvement for students.