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Art, music, drama and dance have unique abilities to cut across the communication
divide.
These expressive arts provide real opportunities for self expression and communication
and support and enhance each child's learning.
What key elements of these arts enable them to communicate with children that have
difficulty communicating?
Art
Music
Dance
Drama
Art
The key learning elements might be: pattern and texture; colour, line and tone;
shape, form and space.
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Music
The key learning elements might be: timbre, texture, duration (pulse and rhythm),
dynamics, tempo, pitch and structure.
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Dance
The key learning elements might be: the body, actions, space, dynamics, relationships.
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Drama
The key learning elements might be: focus, tension, space, mood, contrast, symbol,
role.
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The power
of music
If you want to understand how effective the arts can be it is useful to look at
the following musical clip.
Music is a flagship example of the unique power of the arts to connect and affect
each child.
In this clip, a musician plays guitar to a couple
of children.
Q
Why is music so effective?
Click for the answer
A
There's something about the musical instrument that strikes very deep in the human
experience.
Musical Interaction is a fantastic way of reaching children who can become very
difficult to reach. It is a brilliant way of conversing and communicating without
the use of words...because these children don't use words.
The
power of the arts
Traditionally, music (like art, drama and dance) is used as a virtual medication
by music therapists. They assess the client(s) and create a clinical plan for treatment
that has clear goals. In this way, the music that the therapist plays works within
a client centred, goal directed framework.
The clip on the previous slide shows that music and the arts should not just be
used as therapy.
Each child with complex needs should have time to explore music and the arts, not
just as a treatment but as a leisure activity.
This will help them to engage fully, communicate openly and learn to the best of
their ability.
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