CHILDREN with complex needs have been tapping into the deepest levels of their psyche to help them learn through play, music and dance.
Students from The Dales School enjoyed a multi-sensory spectacle called The Tig – a stunning inflatable visual space in which music, dance and coloured lighting is used to stimulate learning through movement.
Six dancers from JABADAO Training were led in a series of workshop sessions by the children, who live with a variety of disabilities.
The Tig has been touring special schools across North Yorkshire and was hosted by The Dales School, Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, for two days as part of parent engagement sessions.
Organised by special needs schools sports co-ordinators Val French and Maureen Breen, the initiative proved a hit with children and their families.
Maureen said: “Spontaneous movement can be extremely exhilarating but children don't have many opportunities in their day to explore creative movement.”
JABADAO director Penny Greenland said: “The Tig creates a portal into another world – one where words are redundant and movement is the shared language. All the play is child-led – our job is to pick up precisely what each child wants to do, however small or boisterous, and make the most of it. It’s very focused and vibrant.”
Year 4 student Aniela Newton, of Thirsk, who was born with cerebral palsy, loved the experience.
Her father Andrew, who is chairman of Inclusive Sports for Hambleton, said: “She can’t move so for her it was absolutely amazing. She loves movement and the atmosphere was incredible. She tracked the light and sound and found it so stimulating. You can’t get a better, safer, more immersive environment.”
The Dales School head teacher Hanne Barton said: “We strive to inspire the children to move so The Tig was a spectacular and different way to help pupils who are difficult to reach in other ways.”
Parents were also able to see for themselves the work carried out at the school, including the use of special bikes, wheelchair swings, tennis, handprint art and other activities.
