Around this time of year, when Hallo'ween is over and thoughts turn to Christmas, notions of presants and shopping slowly start to come to mind.
For me, Christmas shopping is a nice neccessity, I love giving (and receiving) gifts, but what to get for each person is a November-long puzzle!
It's also around this time when I get asked for suggestions of what to buy for children with special needs. Finding toys and games that are appropriate can be difficult.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
Ask their Parents - find out what the chid is into, or if parents have ideas.
Things to ask are: (if it's puzzles or games) What is their piece-range for puzzles? - you might be suprised, some kids are extremely capable of jigsaws and puzzles with way more pieces than you imagine!
If you have something in mind, and you're not sure, it might be a good idea to run it passed the parents first.
If a child is into press-button cause and effect toys such as v-tech and they are getting a little older for baby/toddler toys, consider press-button books or computer games as an alternative.
If you are looking for something to help encourage motor skills, try the good old fashioned outdoors play equipment. Balls of different sizes and textures are great, and balance boards, hoppers and hula hoops are always useful.
Look for small, fun things that parents hide away and take out and use as reinforcers on difficult days - you will be thanked for these at a later date! Hand-held video games, bubbles, press button and light-up toys, small books etc, are great.
Take the child out for the day - give a voucher for a day out, and better still, bring them yourself if you can!
Books for bedtime and outings are always useful.
And my favourite idea? Make the child's own story book. Include their photographs, pets and family on an adventure.
I'll add more ideas as we get nearer, but feel free to post your ideas here:
Claire.
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