Play contributes to cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children. Play enables children explore their surroundings, relate to others and acquire skills. According to Catherine Garvey, professor of psychology, University of Maine, play is pleasurable and enjoyable, spontaneous and voluntary and actively engages the players. According to Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College, play is self-directed, intrinsically motivated, structured and imaginative.
Play Contributes to Development
Play contributes to physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Depriving children of play can negatively impact their development, overall health and well-being. Some of the consequences of play deprivation include depression, aggressive behavior and social isolation.
Toys and Games Help Children Develop Skills
Categories of toys include books, games, music, therapy, exercise and special education. Autism toys, for example, address learning needs including auditory, kinaesthetic and visual. Products also include assistive technology for communication, switches, environmental controls, computer access, leisure and learning, literacy tools, mounting products, wireless, digital enhancement, etc.
Toys help children, with special needs, to develop skills to communicate with others, interact with their surroundings, or access the world around them. Manufacturers provide a variety of products including general active toys; books with interactive components; electronic toys; arts and crafts; outdoor play products; and educational products.
Products are available for disabilities including physical, sensory, communicative and cognitive. Products for specific disabilities include attention deficit or hyperactivity; autism spectrum; cerebral palsy; cognitive or intellectual delay; developmental delays; down syndrome; fetal alcohol syndrome; hearing impairment; learning disabilities; quadriplegia; sensory integration disorder; speech and language delay; spina bifida; and visual impairment.
Toy Manufacturers
- AbleNet
- Achievement Products
- Aeromax
- Attainment Company
- B Dazzle
- Buddy Bike
- Child Therapy Toys
- Crayola
- Crayonball
- Creativity for Kids
- Crestwood
- Crorey Creations
- Developmental Learning Materials
- Discovery Toys
- Discovery Toys
- Don Johnston
- Dream Nouveau
- Family Fun Time
- ImagAbility
- Keefco
- Little Tykes
- Munchkin
- National Ambucs
- Omnicor
- One Step Ahead
- PlayAbility Toys
- Preschool Prep Company
- Schoenhut Piano Company
- Swing N Slide
- The Capable Child
- Therapeutic Toys
- Toys N Tayls
- VTech Electronics
- Zatswho
Selecting the Right Toy
Consider factors including current abilities of the child; target skill to be developed; potential abilities of the child; development of cognitive skills; development of communicative skills; development of sensory skills; development of physical skills; and interests. Remember, appropriate toys will help your child enjoy the benefits of play.
Review product evaluation information for each toy. Compare toys developed by different manufacturers using the AblePlay rating system for making decisions based on the available information. Cognitive, sensory, communication and physical abilities of a child have been considered in the rating system. Products are rated on a scale of 1 to 5. Select the most appropriate toy based on the product information and ratings.
References
Welsh, M. & Bailey, J. (2011). Facts Behind the Fun. The National Lekotek Center.
Leon Becker - Leon Becker leon@raisesavvykids.com
