What Are the Best Educational Toys & Tools For Kids With Special Needs?
When raising a child with special needs, it is important to consider small but gradual steps to lead them to their “milestone.” Milestones are the most important events in their development. Remember, it will take your guidance to help them learn and grow to reach this point in their lives.
Some educational tools and toys can help them with their pacing. Here at Special Needs Resources, we are all for skill development in all aspects, whether cognitive, gross motor, oral or fine motor. We want these children to have the ability to conquer emotional, physical, and mental difficulties. One interesting approach is to help kids manage stress with stuffed animals.
With this, we have prepared a list of the best educational toys that your child can use. They can use this as a tool for coping methods and, of course, to enjoy their time as a child.
Fidget Toys For Concentration
Most children have trouble concentrating, especially those diagnosed with ADHD or Autism. Fidget toys can help children with these conditions focus and manage daily stress.
This kind of toy is a handheld tool designed to create small movements that can capture your concentration. It can be in the form of the following:
- Spinner – a fidget spinner can be made of metal or plastic and is a three-stream tool waiting to be whirled around your hand. It can be used by children who find it difficult to fidget their hands.
- Cube – a fidget cube keeps your fingers busy and working and can be more complicated. It is made of plastic, and different activities can be done on each side, like clicking, spinning, flipping, or twisting.
- Stress ball – if your child needs something that calms his senses and nerves, it may be helpful to hand him a stress ball. It promotes relaxation and makes muscles in one’s hands stronger. Let your child squeeze it and release the stress and anxiety he feels.
- Chewable pendants – this pendant is an oral sensory tool that keeps your child from biting nails, chewing hair, pencils, etc. Ensure that the pendants you give to your child are made from safe materials to be put in their mouth.
Blocks And Building Toys
Blocks and toys can be assembled and built to work well in developing your child’s fine motor skills. It is especially beneficial for children who have cerebral palsy.
Also, it engages creativity for children, as it can help them visualize items from around them and build them through blocks.
Jump In Trampolines
If your child struggles to balance themselves physically, mini trampolines can help them. This toy requires children to jump continuously and land on the same space or surface. It will require them to find balance and strengthen their legs.
But, it would be best if you supervised your child while they played with it to ensure their safety.
Flashcards
Using flashcards can help your child improve his communication skills, verbally and non-verbally. When you show the cards to them, you can notice their answer even by looking at their reaction through smiling and eye contact. It will also move them to improve their posture as they communicate with you.
This tool can also enhance your child’s cognitive skills, attention span, social skills, and strategic thinking.
The Bottomline: Think Of This Before Buying
Aside from considering what these toys can do for your child’s milestones and improvement, remember that you must buy them things they can enjoy. After all, they are still children who would like to have fun in their childhood with or without special needs.
Every child is different. So it would be best if you considered what your child prefers, aside from what they need.
References:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/ten-special-needs-school-tools-3105740
https://www.verywellfamily.com/special-needs-toys-4134737
https://www.flintrehab.com/toys-for-children-with-cerebral-palsy/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/kids-toys-for-special-needs/
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/fidget-toys-for-anxiety/
