toys

If students can grasp a magnetic wand they can participate in a variety of play activities. Simply attach pieces of magnetic tape onto toys such as cars, trucks, boats etc. Students can then drive the vehicles with a magnetic wand or magnet attached to a splint or handcuff.

Glue or Velcro the furniture pieces in place so a child can maneuver the dolls without mistakenly “redecorating” the house. Take the roof off so children can reach in and move things around.

Plungers come in two sizes (for sink or for toilets). They make good stand up dowels to place napkin rings or extra large swim noodles beads. The tall plungers work for play in stand as they help child to balance body while placing napkin rings or swim noodle beads.

Cut PVC pipe in one-inch pieces. They make excellent beads as the opening is large for beginners. Find the thickest jump rope and cut to a size the child can handle. Use Elmer's glue on the cut end to stop fraying. When child holds a thick rope and uses large beads, they learn to use the interplay of both hands. It works better for beginners than a shoe string and beads.

Purchase swimming pool noodles. Use a serrated knife to cut the noodles in one or two inch pieces (as if cutting bread). Have the child hold a dollar store wooden spoon and put the rings on the handle of the spoon. This combines use of both hands and makes a cheap toy. Color matching can be integrated by using rings made from different color swim noodles. The noodles have a hole in the center so they make a cheap bead type play activity.

I play with many children that have sensory concerns. To ease the introduction I have made textured blocks. I cut pieces of lumber (4 inches width, 2 inches height, 5-6 inches length) and cover them with out door carpet. The out door carpet comes in red, blue, brown and grey. I use heavy duty staples to secure the carpet to the blocks. The little ones rub the blocks against the floor, scratch them together, rub their hands on them, roll cars over, match colors, and stack them. I have also made textured one inch blocks.

To help students play independently, attach toys to a plastic or rubber placemat with thin strands of elastic. If a toy happens to fall off the mat, students with limited fine motor skills can scoop the elastic bands and bring the toy back to the playing surface. Attach cookie cutters, mini-rolling pins and plastic pizza cutter to create a play mat compatible with clay and playdoh tasks.

Moving targets are hard to grab! Help students with limited grasp or fine motor skills play with wheeled toys by gluing raised knobs to mobile cars, trucks and airplanes. Try the wooden candle cup holders sold at most hobby shops.

A child that has difficulty grasping objects may be unable to manipulate puzzle pieces. For some children, simply cutting notches into the side of each of the puzzle pieces may make them easier to grasp. Adding handles of some kind to puzzles can also make them accessible. A knob, empty thread spool, or section of dowel rod may make a handle that a child can grasp. If the puzzle came with knobs, but they are too small, simply replacing them with larger knobs can make the puzzle accessible. If the child cannot grasp a handle, adapting the puzzle with Velcro may be the solution.

Materials:

• Small car or truck (Matchbox or similar)
• Empty one liter clear plastic soda bottle
• Clear plastic tube used to store florescent light bulbs
• Large rubber suction cup (type that is used for car top carriers)

Instructions: