The purpose of this study is enhancement of self-determination in children with disabilities is considered a crucial factor for approaching the general curriculum and ensuring a successful transition to adulthood, ultimately contributing to an improve...
The purpose of this study is enhancement of self-determination in children with disabilities is considered a crucial factor for approaching the general curriculum and ensuring a successful transition to adulthood, ultimately contributing to an improvement in an individual’s quality of life. Additionally, it is highlighted as one of the key elements for individuals to live independently and autonomously when entering society as an adult after the end of the school age. As the interest in self-determination for students with disabilities grows, research in this area has increased domestically, reflecting a rising concern for promoting self-determination in children with disabilities. It is important promoting self-determination in children with disabilities is important because it lays the foundation for empowerment and self-actualization throughout their lives. However, research on programs applying self-determination components targeting preschoolers is notably insufficient. Considering this gap, it is necessary to develop programs that apply self-determination components and can be implemented jointly for children with and without disabilities in integrated kindergarten classrooms.Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of a role-playing program on the self-determination and social skills of both children with disabilities and their non-disabled counterparts. The study participants included a total of 22 children, comprising two children with disabilities and 20 children without disabilities, all aged four, enrolled in a K-kindergarten in Seoul. The special education teacher at the kindergarten, who is also the researcher, conducted the role-playing program applying self-determination components, which is the independent variable of this study. The program was implemented once a week during the kindergarten’s free-choice activity time over a period of 13 sessions. To assess the impact of the role-playing program, incorporating self-determination components, on the self-determination and social skills of both non-disabled and disabled children in the integrated classroom after the intervention, the study conducted a paired-sample t-test to analyze the pre- and post-assessment results for non-disabled children. For children with disabilities, the study evaluated the degree of change in pre- and post-assessment results. The summarised results of this study are as follows: Firstly, the score of self-determination for non-disabled children who participated in the role-playing program with the self-determination components significantly increased after the intervention, and this change was also statistically significant. Moreover, there was an improvement in the self-determination scores for children with disabilities who participated in this program. In other words, it was evident that the role-playing program with self determination components had a positive impact on all children in the integrated class. Secondly, for non-disabled children in the integrated kindergarten class who participated in the role-playing program applying self-determination components, both teacher- and parent-rated scores for social skills, including sub-factors, increased significantly after the intervention, and these changes were statistically significant. In addition, it was found that the social skills of children with disabilities who participated in the program were improved after the intervention by teachers and parents. The result of this study demonstrated that the role-playing program applying self-determination components positively influenced the self-determination and social skills for both disabled and non-disabled children in the integrated kindergarten class. This study finds significance in creating a program to elicit the interest and active participation of children. It includes elements that help children make their own choices, promoting independence and freedom in a respectful setting.