playtime

Directions:

1. Use 5-ply plywood.
2. Overall measurements are 36 x 27 inches
3. Attach four 2-inch hard rubber casters
4. Attach three adjustable straps across the bottom of board, at the two lower corners, to hold the legs, and at the center where the board narrows for the chest, to hold the trunk in position.

Secure nonstick shelf liner or nonskid carpet material on the seat of ride-ons to keep a child from slipping off.

Add a phonebook or cans of food to your child’s push or riding toy to weight it down so it doesn’t
tip over.

Play pools are wonderful for various activities with young children. Kids love to play in water, and it's a great way to cool off! For a child who needs support in sitting upright, try using a bath ring seat in the play pool. If greater support is needed there are a variety of bath and/or waterproof seats available through Sammons Preston (http://www.sammonspreston.com/ or 1 800 323 5547). Don't forget pool noodles, blow-up rings, etc. Sometimes a combination of supports (ring seat, pool noodles, neck supports, etc.) can be the answer.

This idea can help children with low vision. Using masking tape, create a path for them to follow to help them get around the house. You can also use the masking tape during play and map out a maze on the floor for the child to follow.

A variety of bolsters and mats can easily be made from items around the house. Large cans, oatmeal boxes, mailing tubes and other items in the shape you need to support the child can be taped together, wrapped with foam and/or toweling and made into bolsters that will hold a child in a desired position.

Materials:
Large cans or other items in desired shape
Foam from camping supply store
Towels or blanket remnants
Tape or thread

Directions:

Using a hula hoop, have the child stand outside the hoop and hold on. You stand across from the child, also holding the hoop. Have the child walk using the hoop for stability.

What about those children who are just beginning to sit but are still very fragile so they can't be left sitting? This was made from a piece of ABS plastic, white Ethefoam (or any firm foam), and 3M Spray adhesive. The child sits on the plastic, which keeps the foam from moving as they lean on it. Need a tray? I often use a rectangular cardboard box with one long side cut out. Or you can use a behind the sink shelf that we found at this particular home.

It’s often hard to get children that are deaf and blind moving toward adults. In this situation, a simple desk-top fan was used to encourage a deaf and blind child to move toward his mother. The child didn’t like the cool breeze so he moved toward his mother where it was warm and comforting. After a few trials he was moving toward his mother all by himself.

You can make a small barrel seat quite easily from a 5 gallon plastic pail to support a child while sitting on the floor. The back can be cut high for children who require a great deal of support or low for those that do not. It can be cut off periodically to gradually decrease support as the child develops the ability to sit with less support.

Materials:

• 5 gallon plastic pail
• Very sharp instrument-kitchen knife, coping saw, or X-acto knife
• Sandpaper—medium and fine
• 14” round pillow