Abstract

Games and activities are a great way for children with special needs to learn important skills. This book provides inspiration and guidance for special education teachers, teaching assistants, parents and carers on how to use lively and engaging play ideas to foster learning and development.

Targeting key skills including listening, self-awareness, movement, creative thinking and relaxation, each game has been developed with the capabilities of children with special needs in mind. The appropriate age group is clearly identified, and possible variations for different abilities are provided. All of the instructions are easy to follow and there are cheerful illustrations throughout. Using music, dance, art, word games and breathing exercises, this book is packed with creative and enjoyable games that make learning fun.

This user-friendly activity book will be an ideal resource for use in special education schools, inclusive mainstream classrooms, day-care, residential and respite settings, or at home.

All games within the book have lead-in information regarding age suitability, materials required and learning objectives, as well as groups for which the game has not been designed. Instructions to play are clear and concise with some including instructions on how to vary the game for specific groups or purposes as well as extra notes for clarity.
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Johanne Hanko, Ph.D., has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, trainer and capacity building specialist for children and adults with special needs and has worked in a wide range of countries across North America, South America, Asia and Africa. For over 10 years she was a technical advisor and member of the joint NGO, GO and UN organizations' Thematic Working Group on Disability-Related Concerns for the United Nations' Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. She received a Master's Degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada and a Ph.D. Cum Laude from Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany. She specializes in capacity building and training, special education, music and music therapy. She currently resides in La Paz, Bolivia.