Observations of Children With Disability During Arts-Based Multisensory Story and Rhyme Activities: Is It All Just Chimes and Perfumes?

Abstract

It is generally acknowledged that alternative strategies are required to enable children with disability to access storytelling activities. In this study, we sought to analyse the benefits of one such strategy: an arts-based multisensory story and rhyme program delivered to children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. In order to determine the engagement and impact of the program on the participants, data were collected through a series of multisensory session observations, focus group interviews with parents of participants, and interviews with performing artists delivering the program. The findings of this study revealed multiple benefits of using sensory stimuli to engage children with disability in storytelling processes, including increased engagement, focus, and interaction with other children and family members. The performing artists used their knowledge and skills to create an engaging environment that was responsive to the children’s needs. It was observed that language development could be further enhanced by integrating written text into the performance and increasing the use of nonverbal communication methods. Further, the engagement of siblings without disability in this program suggested that it could be developed to be inclusive of children with and without disability.

Reviving folk music of the southeast in Shanxi: cultural revitalization and citizen engagement through digital platforms and facilitation through information systems

“…These results emphasize how important information accessibility is in determining how digital technologies affect involvement in and preservation of cultural heritage. Regarding H5a, the mediation analysis shows that information accessibility is key in directing the beneficial effects of using digital platforms on people's participation in folk music (O'Rourke, Main, Gray, & Lovering, 2021). People receive access to a variety of cultural resources and content as a result of their regular use of digital platforms, and this helps them to understand and appreciate folk music better.…”