Chosen to help develop skills like fine and gross motor skills, balance, socialization (and more!), toys designed for children with special needs are incredibly fun and functional in meeting a child's specifications.
Children with special needs are often drawn to items in the environment that have a sensory component. A sensory toy or item is one that stimulates a specific sense in one or more ways. This can be helpful for a child with special needs, as their sensory systems often crave certain input or sensory stimulation in order to feel organized or calm.
Basic blocks and other building toys are incredibly versatile and can grow with your child. Your child might start by simply lining them up but can easily upgrade to building structures, tunnels, roads, and more as they get older. Most importantly, these basic toys are ideal for building symbolic play skills and social collaboration—especially when you play along with them.
Water play releases energy, it can be both invigorating or relaxing for young children. It increases their ability to concentrate on one activity when presented as a tranquil and repetitive activity. Gentle water play allows them to unwind, order their thoughts and relax. Other than that, it will increase their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through actions like pouring, squirting, scrubbing, stirring and squeezing. It also encourages role play and crucial social skills like cooperation and sharing.
Puzzles are fun, challenging, inexpensive, and readily available. It can help with your child's independence and confidence. While they may get frustrated from time to time, you can help them keep trying and persistence, as you know, is a very valuable lesson for anyone. Finishing a puzzle certainly gives a huge boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem too!
There is perhaps no better way to introduce children to what they can do than by encouraging exploration of the arts. Art is healing and meditative for children with special needs, inspiring a different kind of space for free and creative expression. When you provide them art supplies and give them time for arts, they gain self-confidence and an ability to work from part-to-whole.
