Eric G.

Aninipot
TCP Block A
Prof Ed 2: Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education

REFLECTION PAPER: Every Child is Special

Every Child is Special. Every child has his/her capabilities. The movie "Taare
Zameen Par" is about an eight-year-old boy named Ishaan. He is a talented boy. He
loves to paint, but because of his academic performance, he was misunderstood by his
family and the people around him. Ishan is a child who is suffering from a neurological
disorder called dyslexia. He has a condition wherein he has a difficulty in recognizing
letters and numbers. It is hard for him to read and write. He struggles a lot in school.
Ishaan's capability is not appropriate for his age. Because no one understood him, he
felt different from the rest. Parents and teachers thought he was dumb and lazy. These
gave him a feeling of isolation.

Ishaan is very emotional and he can't control himself when he is in trouble.

He is not socially active too. He has no friends in his previous school. Ishaan loses his
self-confidence because of the people around him. Even his father doesn't know what
interventions they will use so he decided to bring Ishaan to a boarding school thinking
that Ishaan is just lazy and needs discipline. While Ishaan is in boarding school, he is
having a hard time adjusting. he missed his family. He was depressed and comes to the
point that he stopped painting and talked to no one.

Mr. Ram Shankar Nikumbh, a Temporary art teacher works in the boarding
school where Ishaan stays appear in the picture. He is a very energetic and creative
teacher. He noticed that Ishaan has a problem since the boy was always sad and
spacing out. With his persistence to help the young boy, he conducted a home visit and
he found out the boy’s condition and so offered extra time to teach him in areas he had
not mastered yet. Every teacher plays an important role in the development of his/her
students. Mr. Nikumbh is a model of a great teacher. He changed the life of a child for
the better. He cares not just for Ishaan but also for all the students. He made the
students realize that every person has particular skills and talents that will lead them to
what they want to become.

Piaget's cognitive development theory and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory are

also seen in the movie. Mr. Nikumbh provides appropriate learning experiences and
materials that stimulate Ishaan's advanced thinking. The theory has influenced concepts
of individual and student-centered learning, formative assessment, active learning,
discovery learning, and peer interaction. While learning, Ishaan is enjoying the process.
The way Ishaan interacts with others and the culture he lives in shape his mental
abilities. Parents, relatives, peers, and society all have an important role in forming
higher levels of functioning. It is a blessing in disguise that Ishaan's father brought him
to the boarding school.

The movie “Taare Zameen Par “ touched my heart. Every child is indeed
special. As future teachers, we can’t just judge other people based on their sschool
performance. We just need to help them go out to their shell and help them discover
their unique talents and abilities. I also realized the importance of Inclusive Education.
All the children have the right to learn in a regular class. They just need extra
understanding, patience, and support. We, future teachers, should be like Mr.Nikumbh.
We should be observant of our students' actions because that will be a clue if the
student has a condition that needs intervention. Children like Ishaan are precious. They
need love and acceptance in our society. Children with special needs should be with
their same-aged peers learning while having fun. Let us help them discover their
purpose in life.