The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of how the cooperation play of physical activity affects the mental retarded children's adaptive behaviors ; personal independence, physical growth, cognitive development, volitive skill, and socializ...
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of how the cooperation play of physical activity affects the mental retarded children's adaptive behaviors ; personal independence, physical growth, cognitive development, volitive skill, and socialization.
The subjects of the experiment were three mentally retarded children(I.Q 40-60, mental age 3-5) at Y elementary school in Busan. They were estimated to be at the social age of 4 to 6 by the social maturity test(Kim Seung-guk & Kim Ok-gi, 1997). In order to prove the effect of the cooperation activity the change of children's behaviors was carefully observed throughout the application of the program, and the individual and categorial difference before and after the experiment is shown by the percentage.
After practicing the cooperation play of physical activity, children showed the great change in every part of the adaptive behaviors such as personal independence, physical growth, volitive skills, and socialization except cognitive development. Therefore, it can be concluded that the cooperation play of physical activity affects one's adaptive behaviors.
All the three mentally retarded children interacted one another individually and competitively in the cooperation play of physical activity. They acted properly, meeting their needs and adapting to the situation. They were also responsible for themselves and played their roles. And it reveals that their adaptability for cooperation has been developed.
In sense that a social skill is especially important for mentally retarded children to live with normal people establishing various relationships, the cooperation play of physical activity can be considered to give positive effects on their adaptive behaviors.
Base on the above prepositions, I'd like to suggest following points.
First of all, when interpreting the outcome of this experiment, one should consider that the subjects were limited and there was an insufficient period of time. Therefore, it will be appropriate to expand the number of subjects and the length of the program to a reasonable level.
Secondly, the more specific research that clarifies the relationship between each physics activity and five different adaptive behavior elements is required.
Thirdly, further research to develop a great variety of physical activity programs need to be conducted and those programs should be suitable for mentally retarded child's ability, character, and individuality. In addition, activities that build intelligence and social adaptability should be applied to the classroom teaching.