How to Support Children with Mathematical Learning Disabilities Learning to Play an Instrument?

Abstract EN

In this study, children with a mathematical learning disability (n=14) and age-matched peers without learning disabilities (n=14) as well as their parents and teachers were interviewed on how they experienced playing an instrument (guitar, drum, flute, violin, trombone, horn, and piano) and on what helped them using a qualitative interactive interview with a flexible agenda to discover the interviewee’s own framework of meanings.

Thematic analyses mentioned intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy as important.

Some children with MLD were found to have a real musical talent and a very good musical ear and memory for sounds.

However, all children with MLD seemed more dependent on the aid of parents, sibling, peers, and teachers.

They had to study harder and needed more time to study, more practice, and a more structured approach.