On May 23, 2024, the 1st trial implementation of the “Sharing Experiences” Program took place at Stavros Niarchos Park, with the participation of 12 students and 6 teachers from the High School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing of Argyroupolis and 27 students and 4 teachers from the Experimental School of EKPA.
The program began with a short lecture of the teachers from the School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing of Argyroupolis to the typically developing students about the specific characteristics of deaf individuals. The children talked with the teachers and got answers to all their questions. Importantly, the program had been prepared beforehand, so the students of both schools already knew its basic outline.
Subsequently, the students from both schools met in the Dome area of the SNFCC Park. The activity began with two “getting to know you” games. The children introduced themselves to each other using a ball of yarn. Then, they played the mirror game in pairs (see the related video that follows).
The main part of the program was divided into three parts:
“…gratitude, joy, and satisfaction!”
“Joy… and smells!”
“I am moved and happy because we all worked together!”
“I made new friends!”
“…I liked that we found ways to communicate!”
“I have never experienced anything like this before…”
“Today gave me joy and positive feelings!”
The typically developing students had watched a video prepared by the teachers from the School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing of Argyroupolis at their school, about how to introduce themselves and say their names (see the related video that follows).
This program was realized through the generous donation of Mrs. Chiona Schwarz-Xanthopoulou.
