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.
About the Author. Explanation of Terms. Introduction. Resources Required for Activities. Target Groups. Part I. Developing Listening Skills. 1. The Paper Bag. 2. The Little Dog Lost Its Collar. 3. You're Getting Warmer. 4. Human Obstacle. 5. The Magic Wand. 6. Loud and Soft. 7. Short and Long. 8. The King and the Thief. 9. Cat and Mouse. 10. Musical Rings. 11. How Many Sounds Do You Hear? 12. Do you Recognize Me? 13. What Time Is It? 14. It's My Move. 15. What Is That Strange Sound? 16. The Right Sequence. 17. The Sound Circle. 18. The Key Sound. 19. Confusing the Singer. 20. I'm Going to Catch You. 21. The Musical Dance. 22. Follow the Beat. Part II. Self and Environmental Awareness. 23. I Know My Body. 24. Shadow Dancing. 25. Know Your Instruments. 26. Know Your Musical World. 27. Will You Be My Guide? 28. My Body, the Sound Machine. 29. How Many People Behind Me? 30. What Has Been Changed? 31. It Sounds Like This. 32. I Move Like a(n) ________(animal). 33. A Walk in the Jungle. Part III. Sound and Tone Discrimination. 34. I Know Where It Comes From. 35. Which Instrument Is Missing? 36. Listen to the Clues. 37. Musical Bingo. 38. The Sound Chart. 39. The Secret. 40. High and Low. 41. The Giant and the Boy. 42. Dances of All Colors. 43. Hide and Listen. 44. I'm a Conductor. 45. Who Said That? 46. Listening to the School. 47. Battle of the Musical Instruments. 48. Who Does This Item Belong To? 49. I Can Hear You. 50. Follow the Wanderer. 51. What Is That Sound? 52. You Didn't See Me Move! 53. The Telephone. 54. My Name Is. 55. Playing on My Beat. 56. Relaying the Beat. Part IV. Body Movement Control. 57. You Are My String Puppet. 58. Playing a Role. 59. Different Ways. 60. Which One Is Shorter? 61. Reflex Ball. 62. Follow Hands and Feet. 63. The Tightrope Walker. 64. Mirror Dancing. 65. Slow Motion Movies. 66. Silent Dancing. 67. Accentuation. 68. The Rhythmic Ball. 69. Catch It Before It Falls. Part V. Breathing Control. 70. Feather Racing. 71. The Vacuum Race. 72. Rolling Away. 73. The Paper Ball Race. 74. The Spaceship. Part VI. Creative Thinking. 75. Follow the Instructions. 76. I Remember the Singer. 77. Make Your Own Musical Instrument. 78. Story with Sounds/Story of Sounds. 79. Birth of a Butterfly. 80. Contemporary Music or Drawing Music. 81. Drawing a Dance. 82. Dramatic Expression. 83. What Is the Music Saying? 84. Hold Your Rhythm. 85. Show Me Your Mood. 86. I Won't Laugh. 87. Creatures from Another Planet. 88. I Am a Sculptor. 89. The Alphabet. 90. Create a Music Video. Part VII. Relaxation. 91. Tin Soldier/Rag Doll. 92. Kaboom! 93. Ghosts. 94. Cooking Spaghetti. 95. Sizzling Bacon. 96. The Gingerbread Cookies. 97. The Bomb. 98. The Flying Handkerchief. 99. The Very Little Engine. 100. Scarf Dancing.