Check It Out! Products You Can Use: Learning Not Limited to Classrooms
Learning Not Limited to Classrooms
As summer winds down, and the buzz in the air shifts from cicadas to grumbles about school, there are a few things to help get kids 
ready. Fun and games don’t have to end because school is around the bend.
Check out the Tech Too Alphabet Tablet by Kidz Delight. With games that teach numbers, shapes, colors, animals and more, the tablet can help kids brush up on focus and fundamental learning as they journey to school for the first time.
Pick up a game of Bananagrams – a fun letter tiles game packed in a banana that is perfect to help young kids identify their names so they can 
find them on their lockers the first day of school. Older kids can create individual crosswords to prepare and get a leg up for spelling class. Jumbo Bananagrams has the same game play, but is larger with rubber tiles. It’s great to play outside so you can soak up the last bit of summer sun while gaining the rays of learning. Plus, sunlight helps kids sleep better and boosts their immune system – both good benefits for back to school!
Rainy Day Indoor Playground
One more thing to think about when shifting your thoughts from summer to school is to prepare a place at home for quiet time reading. Reading is fundamental and having a comfy place to curl up can encourage kids to pick up a good book. Check out the Rainy Day Indoor Playground by Playaway Toys. The “playground” is a durable, metal bar that attaches in a doorway (tension and/or screws) with links to connect different types of swings. Look in particular at the hammock swing and study board option. It cocoons a child to help create a study nook for focus.
For more information on these products, go to www.ableplay.org. AblePlay is a website sponsored by the nonprofit National Lekotek Center, an authority on products appropriate for children with special needs at www.lekotek.org. Find us on Facebook!
Reviewed by Ellen Metrick, Director of Industry Relations & Partnerships, National Lekotek Center; emetrick@lekotek.org
Magical Cushion
The best seat in the house is topped with a Magical Cushion to 
stimulate sensory awareness. Features up to 5” of extra height for greater comfort, with a 12” diameter that fits smaller chairs. Two-sided design is smooth on one side; flip it over for a comforting massage of tactile “fingers” about 1/4” apart.
Price: $29.99
Amazing Peanut Ball
The Amazing Peanut Ball challenges children to balance and strengthen their core for an “active” learning posture during school 
work or even while watching television! Sit or straddle the ball. Pretend it’s a horse and ride it like a cowboy. Toss it and watch it bounce. Shaped for forward and back rotation, and holds up to 750 lbs. Choose from 6 sizes. Age 3+.
Starting at $34.99
Traveler Lite Hammock Swing
Choose a calming or thrilling ride on the Traveler Lite Hammock 
Swing. Made of parachute-like nylon, weighs just ounces and folds in pouch for easy travel. Kids or adults can lay back or sit up and pump to swing high. Provides a refreshing and calming break, on the go. Adult supervision required. Ages 6 to Adult.
Putty Elements
Putty Elements combines science, education and sensory integration! Enables you to work on hand strengthening, fine motor coordination, stress reduction and sensory integration in a fun, engaging and educational setting. Each putty color provides a different resistance but also can help you engage children in the world around them. Choose from Sun (yellow), Desert (red), Earth (green) or Sky (blue) putty. Shape the putty to resemble the elements, such as the sun, leaves, stars and volcanos. Gluten, casein, latex and soy free. Choose from 2 oz. or 4 oz. cans Age 3+
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