SPECIFICS OF ORGANIZING LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN UKRAINE

Introduction. During the period of development of independent Ukraine, the focus of constant attention is the creation of conditions for the development of national culture, the satisfaction of the spiritual interests of a wide range of people, in particular people with limited health opportunities, as well as the satisfaction of their recreational needs. Aspects of the approach to the organization of leisure time for children with special needs are highlighted. The relevance of using art tools to establish social justice for children with special educational needs is substantiated. The importance of joint creative participation of children, children with disabilities and adults in the organization of joint creative activities is emphasized. It was determined that creative activities under the guidance of a teacher are considered to be the preparation of an individual for an independent life. The role of the teacher in the organization of cultural and recreational activities for children with special educational needs is analyzed. Purpose. The article aims to reveal the specifics of the organization and improve the forms of leisure activities for children with special educational needs in Ukraine. Methods. Theoretical analysis of scientific literature, historical and pedagogical research of views on the organization of leisure time for children with special needs systematization and generalization were used. Results. Working with children with special needs is both a pedagogical, psychological and medical field of activity. Children who need correction – physical and professional development action – have the right to quality education, which will contribute to their active participation in society. Getting an education is the main activity of a child, but besides that, he has the right to rest. The scientific analysis of scientists' research reveals a wide range of leisure functions: educational, psychological, recreational, social, economic, health-improving, recreational, compensatory-creative, and communicative. The most common types of leisure activities are: physical, practical, and social (carried out through interpersonal communication). The main socially justified principles of the organization of cultural and leisure activities are humanization of the content, the educational component of leisure time; focus on the development of personality as the main value of the society; national orientation in the content and forms of leisure; movement from monotony, unification to multifaceted forms of leisure; the use of regional and local features, traditions, customs, and ritual differences in the organization and content of leisure time; continuity and continuity of leisure forms; the unity of the efforts of the state, public organizations, the family and other social institutions in organizing the content of children's leisure time. Originality. An important step for optimizing the leisure activities of children with special educational needs is the modernization of the forms and types of cultural and leisure activities. In the context of promoting the implementation of the main functions, socio-cultural leisure activities – developmental, educational, creative, and health-improving, it is appropriate to use: group forms of organization of children's leisure time, individual, specially developed for children with specific types of diseases. Conclusion. Therefore, with the correct consideration of the peculiarities of the organization of leisure activities of children with special educational needs, teachers ensure the formation and satisfaction of the needs and interests of the cultural, spiritual and general development of children, the acquisition of social experience and the improvement of adaptation and preparation for independent life in society.