Fun Based Learning

Jigsaw Puzzle

         Special needs children when not attending school or therapy sessions should be provided with worthwhile activities at home. Activities that would keep them busy so as not to encourage emergence of self stimulatory behaviors. Or better yet, provide them with activities that would address different sensory issues or motor problems they may have. We can always improvise from whatever we have at home. Like for instance an old coin bank or box with small slit where your child can slip poker chips or coins for fine motor improvement; old plastic jars or containers with screw lid which your child can open and close to strengthen
his grip. Still there are many other ways to improvise therapy devices or toys with special purpose.

         Parents often opt to improvise these special needs toys because very rarely you will see them in toy stores. There is this one shop in Multiply Philippines that especially caught my attention- the "Autism Shop". Its an online shop that carries special needs toys, books and other products that can be helpful to children with Autism, their parents and therapists looking for devices for therapy rooms. Here are some of the items which the shop offers:

Shape Sorting Game

1. Jigsaw Puzzles - can help child improve visual discrimination, form constancy and visual memory.
As most children with Autism are visual learners, toys addressing visual perceptual skills would be most helpful.
2. Shape Sorting Game - works on shape and color recognition and eye hand coordination.

Mix and Match Puzzle

3. Action Flashcards - can help increase a child's vocabulary and skills of daily living.
4. Aroma Dough - organic and gluten free scented clay to work on a child's tactile and olfactory sense.
5. Mix and Match Puzzles - stimulates child's creativity. The shop offers dressing up mix and match puzzle which can help introduce the concept of dressing up.
Other interesting stuffs:
6. Organic Mosquito Repellant - protect kids from being bitten by mosquitoes without exposing them to harmful chemicals.
7. Books on Autism     
                            

Aroma Dough

        The Autism Shop still has more. If you aim to recreate a mini therapy area right into your own home or just want to provide your child toys that can address his special needs, help him learn and still have fun, then you may want to check out this online store : 
Autism Shop (http://autism.multiply.com/)
       


Credits:
  All photos are published with permission from the Autism Shop.

Disclosure:
   The author is not in any way connected with the store mentioned nor compensated to promote it.
  The article is written only for the purpose of providing information.