Check it Out! Products You Can Use: Toying with Learning
Toying with Learning
It’s that time of the year again! Kids are back in school. Backpacks are zipped, pencils are sharpened, but there is one more thing that 
needs to be added to the shopping list. Toys! Toys can help children develop basic skills upon which almost all early childhood education rests; skills from reading and math, to social awareness and manners. These critical areas will set your child up to not only thrive inside the classroom, but enjoy learning too!
Here are a few examples of toys that can develop these skills and give children the tools they need to really distinguish themselves in class:
The ability to read not only opens up doors to learning, but having that confidence allows children to feel strongly about raising a hand to read aloud in class. Budding Reader is a series of e-books that uses repetition while gradually adding new vocabulary into the story so kids can advance literacy skills with every turn of the page.
Children will encounter not only new classmates at school, but also cultures and ideas that are novel to them. Miniland Educational’s Pair Game: Learning Values is a 
memory matching game that promotes cultures, respect and good behaviors. Another great matching game to consider is Choice-a-Quence by Let’s Choose, which teaches kids to improve behavior and advance social and language skills in a fun card game. Playing games is vital to increase children’s social competence and emotional maturity, which is related to school success and a child’s ability to interact positively with peers and adults.
Albert Einstein often said that he had no special talent, but he was passionately curious. From lifting a rock to see what’s underneath, to raising a hand to ask a question, curiosity drives children to find answers to the unknown. These toys and tips can give kids the skills they need to succeed in school while discovering what they are passionate about. Let them dig in the dirt and build blanket forts in the living room. This self-directed play will give children an outlet for their creativity, and a direction for their curiosity. With skills promoted and curiosity encouraged, children will see how much fun “toying with learning” can be.
Related: Toying with Learning PLAY TIPS
For more play ideas and toys for children with special needs go to www.ableplay.org. This website was created by the National Lekotek Center to encourage children of all abilities to experience the benefits of play.
Find us on Facebook. Reviewed by Ahren Hoffman, Manager of Industry Relations &Partnerships, National Lekotek Center; ahoffman@lekotek.org
Helpful Books for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Learn American Sign Language Everything you need to start signing
by James W. Guido
American Sign Language (ASL) is a vibrant, easy-to-learn language that is used by approximately half a million people each day. Learn American Sign Language is the most comprehensive guide of its kind. Learn more than 800 signs, including signs for school, workplace, home, out and about, food and drink, emotions, small talk, and more.
The Prince Who Was Just Himself
by Silke Schnee
In this whimsical children’s book, the royal couple is looking forward to the birth of their third child. “He looks a little different,” muses the king. “He is not like the others,” agrees the queen. Soon they notice what special person he truly is. This book is a great tool for parents and teachers to use with their children to explain Down syndrome and other disabilities.
