Suggestions

Age Appropriate Toys Sue Haessler

Helpful web sites: Google hits from “Toys-Special Needs” www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled
www.hottoads.com
www.livingwithcerebralpalsy.com
www.creativityinstitute.com
www.toys-to-you.co.uk
www.scienceshareware.com/special.needs-toy-stores.htm www.ableplay.org www.eparent.com/toys
www.helpingtogrow.istores.com/
www.tfhusa.com
www.sensorysmarts.com/toys
www.flaghouse.com
www.amusica.co.uk/
www.e-niko.ltd.uk/

Birth to 12 months
Developing an awareness of the 7 senses (smell, sight, taste, sound, touch, movement and proprioception-internal sense of how the body parts are connected)

 

• mobiles
• play mats/busy boards
• unbreakable mirrors
• rattles, squeaky/squeeze toys, floating bath toys
• cloth or hard cardboard books showing photos/pictures of familiar objects/actions
• pots and pans
• soft stackable blocks or cups
• balls

12 months to 3 years
Mastery of greater deft motor control in all extremities. Climbing, hanging, spinning and activating the vestibular system for orientation of their body in space.
• simple puzzles and books
• arts and crafts (finger-paint, play dough, colored paper and crayons, etc.) • sand box and digging toys
• riding toys (trikes, wagons, etc)
• musical instruments (drums, horns, toy piano, etc.)
• cassette tape player with musical tapes
• wading pool and water toys

3 years to 5 years
Increased reasoning, story telling and creating cause and effect situations. Moving on mobile surfaces with greater balance and reasoning.
• Any type of “make-believe” type toys (i.e. dress-up clothes, play food, play money, farms, doll houses, baby dolls and accessories, etc.)
• Bikes (with helmets), swing sets, climbing frames
• Paint with brushes, scissors, glue, washable markers
• CDs, books, puzzles, videos
• Electronic toys, word matching games, simple board games

5 years to 9 years
Greater ability to follow rules and interact in games. Learning to function in team interactions with give and take to master greater level of control.
• sports equipment (with protective gear)
• card games, board game • jump ropes
• arts and crafts
• paper dolls
• doctor and nurse kits
• simple computer CDs/games

10-14 years
Greater ability to use the motor system with posture as the background for increased very fine control in all extremities. Increased strength and overall reasoning and problem solving.
• computer games
• sewing, knitting, needlework
• microscopes, telescopes
• sports equipment
• games
• hobby collections