Music Therapy Enhances Attention Span and Promotes

Language Ability in Young Special Needs Children

 

中文摘要

 

  特殊幼兒通常擁有ㄧ種或多種障礙進而造成多重學習的困難,因此其語言能力與注意廣度常會因而受到影響。專注是學習的重要關鍵,而語言能力是一項基本的溝通工具。因此,這個研究主要目標是透過理論分析與實驗性教學探究使用音樂治療來提高特殊幼兒之注意廣度與促進其語言能力的可能性。此研究方法採用單一受試跨多基線之研究設計。三個4~5歲之受試者,皆就讀於中部某私立幼稚園,依立意抽樣的方法被挑選出來參與本研究。研究期間包含基準線共為期20週,每週一次,一次進行一小時的教學時間。

 本研究評量採質性與量化分析。量化方面︰以三位觀察者所寫的觀察表作為評估基準測量效度。質性方面︰與幼兒家長和帶班教師進行訪談。研究結果發現︰
    1.量化研究部份︰以前後測比較與觀察表為主,特殊幼兒在注意廣度及語言能力的分數有明顯的提昇。
    2.質化研究部份︰以幼兒家長和教師的觀察為主,特殊幼兒的注意廣度和語言能力均呈現正向進步。

 

 

Abstract

 

        Usually young special needs children have one or more disabilities which cause multiple learning difficulties, and often their language ability and attention span are compromised. Concentration is an important key for learning and language ability is a basic communication tool. Therefore, the main goal of the study is through theory analysis and experimental teaching to explore the possibility of using music therapy to enhance attention span and promote the language ability of young special needs children.
 

                 The methodology of the study used a multiple-baseline across individuals design model. Three 4-5 year-old subjects enrolled in a private kindergarten in Taichung, Taiwan, were selected by purposive sampling to participate. The duration including the baseline was 20 weeks with one hour instructional sessions once per week.
 

        There was a quantitative analysis to measure validity based on assessment scales used in the observation forms by three observers. There was also a qualitative study using interviews with parents and classroom teachers. The results were the following:
1. Considering quantitative research, based on the comparison of pre- and post-test and observation forms, the scores for the attention span and language ability of young special needs children were clearly enhanced.
2. Considering qualitative research, based on the observation by parents and teachers, the attention span and language ability of young special needs children were improved.