In April 2024, Music4All School and its partners in the “Unity in Arts: Music, Dance, and Inclusive Learning” project successfully organized an international workshop in Serbia. The “Serbian Workshop with Young People with Special Needs” was a significant event aimed at enhancing the skills of young participants through music and dance.
Objectives and Outcomes
The workshop brought together participants from Romania, Serbia, and Ireland, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences in an interactive and inclusive environment. The main goal was to develop the motor, musical, and coordination skills of young people with special needs, providing them with opportunities for artistic expression and collaborative learning.
Details of Participants and Activities
Participants included:
- Representatives from Romania: The main project coordinator, a music expert, four young people with special needs, and two chaperones. They brought portable percussion instruments necessary for rhythm sessions.
- Representatives from Serbia: The local coordinator and a dance specialist working with young people with special needs, along with a group of children with Down syndrome participating in the dance sessions.
- Representatives from Ireland: The local coordinator and a youth development expert, along with two young beginners facing coordination challenges. They provided the necessary equipment for recording activities, contributing to the creation of audio-video materials for the project.
Conducted Activities
The workshop included various structured sessions:
- Percussion Instrument Sessions: Participants learned to use tambourines and maracas to develop rhythm and coordination.
- Dance Sessions: The young participants were instructed in Latin American dance styles such as cha-cha, merengue, and conga, focusing on simple and rhythmic movements.
- Combined Music and Dance Sessions: These sessions integrated percussion instruments with dance movements, creating a holistic learning experience.
Impact and Conclusions of the Workshop
The workshop in Serbia was a remarkable success. The young participants significantly improved their motor and musical skills and gained self-confidence. The activities stimulated social interaction and collaboration, contributing to the integration of young people with special needs into the community.
Feedback from participants and parents was extremely positive, highlighting the educational and emotional value of these sessions. Observations and recordings made by experts will be used to refine and adapt educational methods, ensuring better responsiveness to the specific needs of young people with special needs.
