Study of the formation of skills of eating in children with moderate and severe degree of intellectual failure

Contact: Galetska Yuliya, Ph.D., assistant of speech therapy and special techniques department Kamianets-Podilsky Ivan Ohienko National University, Kamianets-Podilsky, Ukraine. Academic interests: feature the organization of educational and correctional-developing work with children with the moderate and severe mental retardation.

The article analyzes the results of studying the skills of eating in children with moderate and severe degree of intellectual disorders. These children, entering a special institution, have violations of spatial orientation, coordination of movements, lack of social and domestic skills, which is an important condition for human existence. One of the reasons for this condition is the lack of attention to the formation of social and domestic skills in children of early and preschool age, the peculiarity of mastering them in the subject activity, which is the basis for the formation of other activities. Formation of social and domestic skills in children with moderate and severe mental retardation is an important social problem, since these skills are the primary basis of domestic activity and are the initial stage of labor education, therefore, it is necessary to gradually involve them in labor processes: self-dressing, using the toilet, washing, receiving food, bedding, cleaning, etc.

The main directions of correctional and educational work on the formation of self-care skills in preschoolers with intellectual disorders: the skills of eating (able to distinguish between dishes, food, be able to use a spoon and a fork, neatly eat, do not pour and do not throw food, wash hands before eating, serve a table); hygienic skills; skills cleanliness (cover the table, eat neatly, use a napkin, clean dishes, wash hands with soap, wipe hands with a towel); dressing and undressing skills. In order to study the formation of social and domestic skills in children with moderate and severe mental retardation, we conducted an experiment that included a set of methods: a survey; conversations with educators; analysis of lessons; observation of children during times of rest and social-oriented orientation classes; creating relevant situations in everyday activities. In the course of the study, it was found that in the majority of children with moderate and severe mental retardation, 6-11 years old, formed the ability to use a spoon while eating, partly use a fork, gently drink from the cup, to independently serve the table and serve themselves at the table, formed more difficult skill use a knife for cutting, smearing, cleaning.

Key words: child with mental disorders, moderate and severe mental retardation, skills of eating, special institution.