A Study on the Effects of the Traditional Play Programs on the Attitudes of Young Children without Disabilities towards Their Peers with Disabilities in an Inclusive Classroom

Han, Jin Ok; Kim, Hee Jin

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2004;9(1): 152-170.

Jin Ok Han^` , and Hee Jin Kim^`

한진옥(Jin Ok Han)| 김희진(Hee Jin Kim)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of the traditional play programs on typically developing young children’s attitudes towards their peers with disabilities in an inclusive classroom. The participants were 60 5-year-old children attending an inclusive kindergarten. The experimental group participated in 10 traditional play activities twice a week. The control group was subject to the ordinary kindergarten programs. The results of this study showed that the traditional play activities had positive effects on the formation of typically developing children’s prosocial behaviors, cooperative activities, problem-solving abilities, and out-of-kindergarten activities towards their peers with disabilities. In order to successfully operate an inclusive classroom, we deem it necessary to help typically developing children form positive attitudes towards their peers with disabilities.