SPECIAL EDUCATION MUSICAL SHOW 2011

The 2nd Special Education Musical Show in my child’s school has been very successful yesterday. The said musical show entitled "Bond of the Bands", was a sing and dance musical play created for elementary and high school students with special needs. The show based on the music of 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000's. The created special education musical show was very great. I know it contributed positively to physical, emotional and mental aspects of the students. It also created an atmosphere where they can express themselves through music rather than behavior.  

The presentation of the students has been so fantastic. Apparently, that was the best way for them to show their talents. I guess, proving their abilities might be an incredible challenge for them. I believe that it could help develop their self-confidence and build their self-esteem. On my own perspective... singing, dancing and even playing musical instrument/s gives them a better sense of where their bodies are in space, creating muscle memory, motor planning and good anticipation of what step/s or movement/s comes next.

We, who have a big heart for students with special needs are better listeners when don’t hear a spoken word. For students like them, being heard in song or seeing in dance can give a children or young adolescents a better chance to express what they might not have had time to say in any other way. But what disgusting is, there was a special education teacher who didn’t understand the capability of these students. She doesn’t even know that these individuals could feel if they are discriminated or accepted. As special education teacher, he/she must know how to share his/her sincere feelings or love that can release these 'special individuals' briefly from their own sense of isolation, loneliness and feeling of discrimination.

Before the event, there were issues and misunderstandings regarding the musical play. But for the sake of the students, some concerned special education advocates insisted that the 'show must go on’. On this case, definitely, a positive teamwork and cooperation must be needed among the special education teachers, shadow teachers, teacher aids, parents and the students themselves. During the rehearsals, others were cooperative but others weren’t. But what is good, the musical play was successfully done with the efforts of all the people concerned about this event. 

I do hope that an exciting new relationship among special education teachers, educational coaches and parents may build soon.  

As special education advocates, we must not forget that friendship and good relationship may inspire students with disabilities.