Monday: 50 Toys for 50 Days week 5--Fidget and Tactile Toys

Next time you are at an adult training, conference or even a meeting, look around and observe your peers. You will find someone clicking their pen cap; someone doodling; someone tapping their foot; someone whispering a question to a colleague; someone chewing gum or ice. Most likely they are not bored, but actually very interested in what is going on. What is happening is that through their life they have figured on coping skills to help them concentrate. This why you can find so many fidget toys in office catalogs. Many people find it very helpful to keep their hands busy so that they can listen or think.

Now the next time you are in your child's classroom and see the same behavior, wiggling, doodling, chewing gum, you will know that the children are learning a coping mechanism that helps them learn. Unfortunately, a majority of teachers do not know this and stop this behavior. For most children, the teacher stopping the behavior is not going to greatly effect their schooling. But for others, children with ADHD or sensory processing disorders or other issues, they may absolutely need these tools in order to be successful at school.  Read more…

 

Tuesday: Finger Fidget Kits for children use Sensory Processing Disorders

You can start to determine what type of fidget you (and maybe you) really like by purchasing one of Pocket Full of Therapy's Finger Fidget kits. They have two different ones.

 Why a finger fidget kit? According to the therapists that run Pocket Full of Therapy these finger fidgets can influence a child's level of energy and arousal. Many children have not found what works for them or what they have found is making their teachers crazy! Using these kits can help you and child discover which works best to increase alertness or decrease and channel excess energy.  Read more…

 

Wednesday,: Toys for fine motor development, sensory input, and motor planning

Today I wanted to introduce you to another toy manufacturer that I think makes wonderful products for children with and without disabilities. You can find Pencil Grip toys at both Fat Brain Toys and Pocket Full of Therapy.

 Pencil Grips is a family owned company that started with just one item, a "Pencil Grip". They have now expanded their line to include many products that help with fine motor development, sensory input, motor planning, and more. Besides they are just plain fun.

The original pencil grip now comes in a variety of colors and shapes. According to The Pencil Grip's website "The Pencil Grip is a revolutionary applied technology that works with the body’s natural physiology to gently place fingers in the proper position for gripping. Allowing over a 90% surface contact with its soft comfortable gripping surface. It works for both right and left handed users." The Jumbo Grip is about 40% larger than The Pencil Grip providing extended comfort and support up to the second knuckle. It also can come in metallic--which makes it look great.  See more Pencil Grip products…

 

 Thursday: Splatter Mat--it changes colors by adding heat

This was one of my favorite discoveries at this year's Toy Fair-Splatter Mat. I could have played with it all day.

 Splatter Mat is the amazing color-changing activity that kids and parents love! Each of the 7 puzzle pieces are coated with a totally unique material – Flip Faze® – so warm water or sunlight can transform the red pieces to orange and the green pieces to yellow in just seconds.  Read more…

 

Friday: The ultimate fidget and therapy toy for children with and without disabilities

 Are you looking for the original toy that can be a puzzle, a movable sculpture, a desktop toy, a fidget, a brain tool, an anti-stress device, a teacher supply, or even a cosmic art toy with special powers. Then you are looking for a Tangle. You probably has seen one and started to play with it. It is very hard to put down. It is addictive. Now there a lot different types of Tangles. The one above is the original Tangle with texture.  Read more…

 

Saturday: Sculpting toys for children with and without sensory processing disorders

According to the Sensory Processing Disorder website, "Children who have tactile defensiveness are sensitive to touch sensations and can be easily overwhelmed by, and fearful of, ordinary daily experiences and activities.  It is our goal to introduce tactile experiences slowly and gradually as the child is ready to experience them, so this defensive/aversive reaction is avoided! A child with tactile defensiveness should never be forced to touch anything they do not want to, as this will cause further apprehension and avoidance."

If you feel that your child has significant tactile defensiveness, you want to get them tested and start working with an Occupational Therapist. There is a lot more information on Sensory Processing Disorders and how to help your child at the website referenced above.

 Children do need to touch a variety of textures and play with them to develop normal tactile processing. If your child will not play with messy items, it is even more important that you continue to find fun and creative ways to introduce these to them. Here four different types of materials that are fun and creative.  

 

Sunday: Sensory and Tactile toys for children with autism for less than $10 each

Here are some wonderful sensory and tactile toys from Pocket Full of Therapy.  You can find them all by going to the sensory section of their site and then scrolling down.  There are more than what I listed here.

These sensory and tactile toys are great for children with autism and sensory processing disorders. But all children love playing with them. Not everyone will love every type of texture, but it is fun to determine, what you like and what you don't like. All of the toys in this list cost under $10, many of them under $5.  Read more…