Helping children with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities recover positively through songs and dances is one of the new teaching methods at the Centre for Inclusive Education Development Support for Children with Disabilities in Da Nang (the Centre for short).
The class of Pham Ngoc Sang, the Centre’s music teacher in Lien Chieu district, has 15 children with various types of disability and of various ages. After taking attendance, Mr. Sang has the children dance together to a cheerful tune. The classroom suddenly becomes lively as the children all eagerly and happily dance to the music. Cao Ngo Thanh H., 11, from Quang Nam province, has had a visual impairment since childhood and was brought to the Centre by her family to study with friends. At first, H. was very shy and reluctant to communicate, and her learning was therefore quite slow. But after becoming familiar with music and receiving support from her teachers, H. has now become lively and open, and can play the dan bau and flute…
Truong Minh T. (16, in Lien Chieu district) has had an intellectual disability since childhood. His family sent him to the Centre just hoping he would have fun. But after learning musical instruments, T. became a completely different boy. “Hearing him say ‘hello, teacher’ instead of looking at me with lifeless eyes makes me so happy,” Mr. Sang confided. Now, in class, T. is quite a good drummer. Not only that, he is also the class “musician” and “singer”, performing for his friends. Outside class, he and his friends also earn money washing cars to raise funds for the class, at 10,000 VND per car. If anyone forgets to pay, T. reminds them immediately.
Like T., Bui Hanh Tr. (14, in Lien Chieu district) also has an intellectual disability and did not say a word all day. Tr. was almost cut off from her friends and seemed uncomfortable with her teachers. But after just half a year at the school, with the organ as her instrument and music every day, she has become more confident and sociable. Now, Tr. even hosts the programme for the whole class during lessons.
Pham Ngoc Sang believes that music is a spiritual medicine that affects the remaining senses of children with disabilities, such as hearing for children with visual impairments, observation for children with hearing impairments, and concentration, language development, memory and closeness to friends for children with intellectual disabilities… That is why many children with disabilities, after becoming familiar with music, have recovered positively and can easily integrate into the community. “We use music combined with physical exercises to help children with disabilities relieve their psychological problems,” Mr. Sang said.
Do Thi Do Quyen, the Centre’s Director, said: “Many children with disabilities here can now play traditional and modern musical instruments. Some have even graduated from music academies and can make a living from their profession.” Mrs. Quyen added that in the coming time, the Centre will step up this activity so that, alongside cultural knowledge, the children can also develop life skills and learn a trade to integrate into society.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, a communications specialist at the Communications Department of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Viet Nam, said that music in schools is being neglected. The importance of music in developing children’s awareness and skills is also not yet appreciated. “Music can be used as a means to support inclusive education for children with disabilities. However, not every organisation has the capacity to make teaching music a regular subject for all children,” Mrs. Huong said. She added that, under the “Developing with Music” project, UNICEF has committed to supporting children with disabilities who are passionate about music for three years in three localities – Hanoi, Da Nang and Kon Tum – with total funding of USD 400,000.
According to Phuong Tra / Da Nang – http://baobaovephapluat.vn