Abstract:

Special education constitutes a particular part of education and for that reason the methods that are used in the teaching process differ from those that are used in normal schools. More specifically, at the SLPET (Special Laboratory of Professional Education and Training) of Kalamata (South Greece), a mathematician, a teacher of the Greek language and a psychologist used the playing process (the board game called “snake”) in a group of students with mild mental retardation but with severe emotional problems. The experts’ aim was to teach cognitive and social skills which are related to the scientific field of each one. First of all, they tried, through playing, to find a communication passage with these students and secondly, taking advantage of this communication, to be able to accomplish the cognitive aim (mathematics, Greek language) which will contribute to the students’ feedback and self-esteem. Subsequently, the trust in their own strength will encourage them not only to participate but also to improve their proficiency to the school cognitive activities.

Keywords:

Special education, self-esteem, cognitive and social skills.