DANCING TOGETHER WITH SPECIAL CHILDREN: BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM AND BELONGING

Abstract

Children with disabilities constantly face rejection and are excluded from the majority of the mainstream art, resulting in loss of reliance. Children become more isolated and timid. They start to accept humiliation and exclusion as a part of their life. They start to believe that all sorts of ‘normal’ activities, including dance, are not for them.The chapter explores how dance can be a tool for boosting self-understanding and a mode of inclusivity for the children with disabilities. To understand the relationship between dance and disability, the author has been going through a number of papers, articles and newspapers to find out that dance not only has a positive impact on physical disabilities but also a great tool to enhance confidence, happiness, and feel graceful. Dance also tends to improve social interactions as it is a way of communication for the individuals who have difficulties in expressing themselves. This creative art can be used as therapy for the children with various disabilities. Modified movement, sensory movement and assistive technologies and tools needed to be use more for proper inclusivity among dance. Dance, thus, can be a new ability for the ‘disabled’.