Teacher-Facilitated Microcomputer Activities: Enhancing Social Play and Affect in Young Children with Disabilities

Abstract

When young children with disabilities are unable to participate in learning experiences with their peers, they often lose critical opportunities to develop and practice many of the social and academic skills they will need in order to succeed in school and everyday life. This study evaluated the extent to which computer-based activities, facilitated by a teacher within a classroom setting, can enable young children with disabilities to share in these important experiences. Changes in the social play behaviors, social pretend behaviors, communication, and affect exhibited by young children with disabilities were examined in both computer and non-computer play activities. Results indicated that computer-based activities represented a context in which toddlers and preschool-aged children with disabilities exhibited more sophisticated levels of play behaviors and more positive, interactive social behaviors.