The Importance of Good Quality Toys in Play

After 11 years of teaching in autism and special education, I found that the best learning came through play.

 

Play is the greatest facilitator of developing and improving communication skills, social skills and concepts needed in everyday life and academically.

 

The students I taught loved some of the toys pictured below, although there is a much greater range available. The students loved the bright colours and the predictability of these activities.

 

These toys are sturdy and safe for use by all students and, as the student acquires a competence is a particular skill, he/she can be moved to a greater expectation. 

 

If a student is learning how to sort according to colour, using the Rainbow Sorting Crayons, the skill will start with one colour and then gradually move on to the recognition of all the colours.

 

You can have lots of fun sorting with your child. As your child becomes more competent, you can start using 2 or more concepts, using colour or moving onto numbers, such as 3 red objects and 4 purple objects.

 

Use them in a purposeful way(don't just have them sorting by colour forever ) e.g. gathering different coloured objects in a game or placing them on a particular playmat/ storyboard or with other toys to extend their play and imagination. 

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Other toys extend their fine motor skills, as well, and also their ability to label 2D and 3D objects.

 

The colourful bears were always a great favourite with the children and they can be used for colour concepts, number concepts, sorting and classifying as they come in different sizes.

 

We also used them in our play and stories to develop targeted language skills, and other receptive and expressive communication skills.

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As a teacher, I was always looking for toys to use in the classroom but the difficulty we had, as teachers, was that all of us needed the toys to teach with and schools' budgets were tight so we had to buy many things ourselves.

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I found that toys are quite expensive and any toy suitable for children with autism or special needs has an incredibly high price tag.

 

I looked through the fidget toys and sensory and calming toys yesterday and saw a great variety of toys, starting from $3 up to $10. Wow, what a great Calming Box you can make, using National Autism Resources as your supplier. 

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The toys below are only a small selection of what is available to you. By pushing on any of the links below, you can see that particular toy in more detail and you can also browse all the products and toys available.

 

If you are a teacher, these products will enhance your teaching and are much cheaper than school suppliers.

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If any products are currently unavailable, you can visit the desired toys in the Menu to make your own selection.

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While I was working full-time, I studied for my Graduate Diploma in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a focus on Floortime Play Therapy.

 

If you have any questions about how you can help your child or a particular students, I am happy to receive any emails from you and answer any questions. My email is fishytales59@gmail.com