Revealing hidden skills

Introducing a good practice arts communication program for adolescents in residential child care

Abstract

Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are often less articulate than their peers, which can have a significant impact on their academic performance, social relationships and future employment prospects. This communication deficit is associated with, among other things, low self-confidence, lack of opportunities for verbal and visual self-expression, and exclusion from school and society. The study aims to present a good practice case study of five appropriate intensive arts communication programmes that combine arts education, inclusive pedagogy and effective communication methods to develop the expressive skills of young adolescents in children's homes. The novelty of the programme lies in the fact that it combines visual storytelling and traditional picture making in the development of creative expression, thus supporting the development of communication skills in a complex way. Qualitative and quantitative analyses show that the use of visual storytelling and creative processes contributed significantly to the development of participants' verbal and visual expression. The findings suggest that the development programme could serve as good practice for other institutions, but could also be applied to institutions working with similar target groups.The positive effects experienced during the programme were not only reflected in improved communication skills, but also in the participants' self-esteem and ability to work together. Group artwork provided an opportunity for adolescents to try out new roles in a safe and accepting environment, which contributed to a deeper sense of self-identity and positive social interaction.