Abstract

TRUJILLO DAVILA, Angie Johanna; BONILLA SANTOS, Jasmín; FLOR, Luisa Fernanda  and  VARGAS, Nataly. Effectiveness of a cognitive stimulation program by means of art in children with learning disabilities: a pilot study. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2017, vol.17, n.2, pp.299-320. ISSN 1409-4703.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/aie.v17i2.28679.

The learning process in children might be affected by dysfunctional development of the neurophysiological mechanisms (factors) required to perform school activities. This article discusses a research study which aimed to evaluate the effect of a cognitive stimulation pilot program based on the use of plastic arts to the operation of the neuropsychological mechanisms in children with learning disabilities. This is a quantitative research study adopting a quasi-experimental method design. 23 children from second grade of primary school in an official institution in Neiva, Colombia, was selected. The participants were classified in two groups: A group study consisting of children with general learning disabilities (n=11) and a comparison group of children without any learning disability (n=12). The group’s classification was carried out by means of a questionnaire on pedagogical valuation (evaluation of learning disabilities questionnaire- Spanish abbreviation CEPA), the operation of the neuropsychological mechanisms was assessed through the protocol of Brief Childhood Neuropsychological Assessment. A cognitive stimulation program was designed and applied to the study group in 30 sessions. The results suggested significant differences (p<0.05) in the operation of the neuropsychological factors: programming and control, sequential motor organization and phonematic integration in children with learning disabilities. Moreover, teachers noticed positive changes on the school activities performance. It can be assumed from the previous findings that the cognitive stimulation program by means of plastic arts had a positive impact on children´s learning process in the educational context.

Keywords : school learning; learning disabilities; neuropsychological factors; cognitive stimulation; plastic arts..

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