Help Special Need Kids/Siblings Learn From Groups

Encouragement and Praise Make Her Enjoy

Taiko-drumming and Clay Courses

                                                                                                                                                                          Aunt Shin

About a year ago, a school teacher told me that ten-year-old Shin was often distracted and inattentive in classes, and suggested that she went for  evaluations. So I started taking her to a series of doctor visits, evaluations, occupational therapy, etc. She was diagnosis as "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , ADHD". That’s why she usually tends to be angry, and would hit her classmates without thinking. She would start to move around like a bug in her button within a few minutes of sitting, and her soul would fly away in the middle of class, etc... She began to take occupational therapy courses, I also began to pay attention to improve her ability through daily practice.

At that time, I saw on the Internet that An'An Slow Angels’ Family Support Association's weekend parent-child courses include "Genki Taiko" courses, which can cultivate concentration and enhance correct mobility. I thought, this is what Shin needs most right now. This is my first time taking a taiko-drumming class. During this one-hour class, She has to stand and play the drums and keep up with the teacher's rhythm. Maybe lacking of exercise and foot muscle endurance is not good enough. She asked to sit down and rest frequently. After class She would complained that her feet were sore. After repeated practices, XinTong gradually stopped complain. Instead, she said that when playing taiko drums, she would concentrate on following the drum music. After playing the drums, she felt very relieved. It is also worth mentioning that the An'An Association arranges irregular performances to give children the opportunity to show their confidence on stage. She usually looks lazy in class, but once he performs on stage, she becomes majestic. The applause from the audience gave her more motivation and confidence!

In 2023, we also participated in the Clay course. Sometimes Shin couldn't make what she created well and she would lose her temper and cry while making works. Fortunately, with the teacher's encouragement and praise, Shin was still I love taking clay classes the most. Before the end of each class, the teacher always asked each child to hold a microphone and share his or her work. At first,Shin would be shy and hid under the table and did not dare to express. After the teacher’s warm guidance, she gradually got better and began to dare to speak openly. Talking quietly into the microphone, accumulating confidence bit by bit, developing concentration and patience bit by bit, and making small progress every time, I believe she will get better and better.