By Sharon Doherty | Project Leader
Most students who are Deaf are strong visual learners, and are able to mentally hold and manipulate visual information. Deaf students also show a high level of resilience, especially in their determination to understand a concept, complete a task and master a skill. We witness this "in spades" at EEESMA School for the Deaf.
So we asked, why not diversify the students' activities to allow them to engage with each other in different ways? Why not take them out of the classroom and engage them in activities that are new and interesting to them? To our amazement, two instructors from different walks of life, neither of them with any background in deaf education, came forward to offer their help to provide karate and chess as extracurricular activities. These activities help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. They also provide a sense of community, making students feel more connected and supported. We know, too, that these activities aid in improving sign language vocabulary.
The martial arts is an excellent way to help teach self-discipline and socialization skills. A typical hour-long karate class begins and ends with a bow to the teacher, or master. After a warm-up, students practice the art's particular skills, which may include kicks, punches and blocks. Each requires concentration and strict attention. You will see from the photos how the children are enjoying this newly discovered passion! All of the students have started at the same white belt level but are eager to advance. Testing for each new level, generally every three months, is a good exercise in setting and achieving goals.
Chess is the second extracurricular activity recently taken up by the students. Chess has proven to increase IQ, improve memory function, help develop higher levels of creativity, simultaneously exercise both sides of the brain, and increase a child's problem solving skills. Too often children who are Deaf are left to languish in silence in front of TV or a video game. Chess is a wonderful diversion which when offered stimulates and entertains them with many cognitive advantages. Children introduced to chess at a young age are more likely to do better in school, and have higher math and reading test scores.
The skills taught through the game of chess go far beyond the board. Learning chess can help children prepare for life difficulties, teach them how to solve problems in a creative way, and benefit children through improved IQ, memory function.
Karate and chess, one more physical and the other more mentally challenging, are offering our students fundamental development that they have never before experienced. And they are having fun doing it!
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By Sharon Doherty | Project Leader
By Sharon Doherty | Project Leader
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