Bydrae van rolstoeldans tot emosionele ontwikkeling van rolstoelgebonde leerders

Abstract

Wheelchair bound learners often experience low self-worth, feelings of inferiority and other negative emotions. This study investigates whether wheelchair dances can contribute to the emotional development of the wheelchair bound learner. Emotional and social development is construed as emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence consists of intrapersonal intelligence, and social intelligence consists of interpersonal intelligence. The research question aimed to answer whether learners who participate in wheelchair dancing develop their intrapersonal capacities with specific regard to self-esteem, emotional self-awareness, assertiveness, independence and self-actualisation. A case study design with a mixed methods approach was followed in the study, including a qualitative enquiry and pre- and post-testing. The three participants were between the ages of 10 and 14 years. They participated in a minimum of 20 wheelchair dance classes over a period of nine months. The results showed that although wheelchair dancing contributed to the emotional development of the participants, further development was evident in two of the participants with regard to their intrapersonal capacities. Participant 1 obtained positive post-test results in all five sub-components, while Participant 2 obtained positive post-test results in four sub-components and Participant 3 in two subcomponents.

Key words: Wheelchair bound learners; Wheelchair dancing; Emotional development; Intrapersonal capacities; Interpersonal capacities

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