“All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” Helen Keller.
Empathizing with disabled children depends on the way you look at disability. Like a full stop, which, is just not the end of a sentence but can also be a start of another new sentence, or a paragraph. Moreover, it depends on the grownups to make the children suffering from disability feel, and realize that, disability is not the end of life. Nor is it a curse, which some children may feel due to rejection, pity, and stigma, from the society. As such to rise above themselves and to show that, they are as talented as the rest, requires immense determination and willpower. This is where parents and elders must step in and guide their ward towards a future in which disability is not a burden. To start, nothing is better than teaching disabled children music by making them learn an instrument. Music is not only a source of joy and pleasure, but it is also a medicine for the soul. For differently abled children, learning an instrument can be a boost to their confidence but above all, it will show to them that you have confidence in them to learn something; this, as anyone will tell you, is the greatest encouragement and gift that you can give. It is well known that children with disability put an extra effort to counter their disability, and so the task at hand becomes a little easy with the only requirement being patience from you. For the rest you can leave it to the child to give his or her best. To know more on how you can help, go through the article given below on how to help a disabled child learn an instrument.
How To Help A Disabled Child Learn An Instrument
- Parents must play a very important role in helping their disabled child learn an instrument. Sometimes the success of the child in learning the instrument is dependent on the efforts of the parents.
- To help a disabled child learn an instrument, the parents must first of all maintain a good contact with the teacher. They should keep themselves updated on the progress of the child and must also communicate effectively with the teacher.
- Try to be present when your child is taking a lesson with the teacher, because some teachers may not know how to handle a disabled child. In addition, the child may behave properly in front of you.
- You can also focus on controlling the child while the teacher teaches the instrument. Working jointly makes it easier to teach the child.
- After each lesson, take a detailed summation from the teacher on what you should make the child practice at home. Take detailed notes because the child cannot do so.
- Set a practice time for the child at home. Make the child practice at that time even if it is for five or ten minutes every day. For a child with disabilities, consistency is the key. Make the child aware of the practice time.
- During practice if the child seems to be confused then help him or her with it. If you are unfamiliar with the music then ask the teacher to explain the assignment to you. You can at least take a basic understanding of the theory part. It is always better to sit down with the child and do the assignment.
- Leave your child to experiment with the instrument. Hand the instrument and let the child play as he wishes. Children with disabilities tend to get frustrated very fast so don’t interfere too much. It’s okay as long as he or she is practicing.
- Give the child feedback but let him or her figure out how he or she is doing. Report the state of the progress at home to the teacher. Identify the strong and weak points of your child. See where he or she is struggling and where he or she is doing well.
- Encourage your child and if he or she gets frustrated then calm him or her down but don’t compromise on the practice. Help without interfering.