LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Seaman, Roxanne

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

Dance is a popular form of physical activity for individuals with disabilities as it can be adapted to meet individualized needs, while promoting benefits in one’s motor, affective and cognitive domains. Currently, there is no consistency in competency for all learners in dance settings, and therefore, wide variability of instruction across programs. The purpose of this research was to evaluate existing adapted dance literature to aid in the creation of a formal adapted dance curriculum. The pedagogical methods of adapted dance were investigated by interviewing dance instructors experienced in teaching adapted dance. A thematic analysis of the interview data revealed six themes which guided the curriculum’s content including: (a) structure and consistency; (b) classroom components; (c) instructional methods;(d) individual abilities and needs and (e) progress assessment. Data collected through document analysis procedures guided the structural components for inclusion in the curriculum. Combining data collected through these two processes, a curriculum was created for use in adapted dance environments. The curriculum is based on the loco motor fundamental movement skills and includes eight session outlines with skill breakdowns, progressions, and gradients. The curriculum also provides a suggested lesson plan flow, routine development guide, and means for assessment. Once the development process was complete, validity was sought by distributing the curriculum to experts in the field of dance, education and occupational therapy for review. Each expert deemed the curriculum as a useful resource and recommended for it to be implemented. The findings from this study both identify and provide a hopeful solution to the need for greater structure and consistency in adapted dance programming. Future applications of this research are for the curriculum to be: (a) implemented into adapted dance programs; and (b) assessed based on its functionality.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3565