The Effect of Play on the Literacy Development of Students with Severe Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this six week study was to better determine how my students with severe disabilities and I could use play-based literacy activities to achieve their literacy goals and support their literacy development. I designed this study specifically to target three students' individual needs and interests to see how play activities might help them advance in their learning. Conducting this study has helped me notice the positive effects that play-based literacy activities can have on student learning and literacy development. The experience of researching a topic that is relevant to my teaching practices and one that I find directly interesting and relevant, helped me improve and build upon my teaching skills. Conducting this study has enabled me to significantly refine my skills as a researcher. This research enabled me to work with familiar and unfamiliar colleagues in my school, and it has brought me closer to them. The process has expanded the ways in which I view my students and their abilities, and opened my eyes to new ways of teaching that I will implement into my work with my future students