There are many forms of theraputty on the market these days but all help to target hand strengthening and fine motor coordination. From a distance, you can also try to target catching skills, though this may prove to be very challenging! Putty They come in many different animals (and mythical creatures) and can be used with one hand or both depending on what you’d like your child to be working on. These fun items can help increase hand strength, fine motor coordination and visual motor integration. Rody can also be turned into a rocking item with the rocking base or scooter item with the speedy base accessories. They’ve also created an even bigger and more stable Rody with the RodyMax if your child needs a bit more support. You can use Rody in a number of ways and movement on Rody provides great sensory input to the proprioceptive and vestibular senses. Using Rody can help promote improvements in balance, strength and coordination.
Rody is a big NAPA favorite! You can often find Rody wandering around our clinics. These multi-sensory toys target the visual system with their vibrant colors, auditory system with the fun suction popping sounds they make when pulling apart, tactile systems with their fun textures and more! The possibilities with these little suckers are endless! Rody Horse They can also be a great bath time toy as they are silicone and easy to clean. You can use Squigz during activities targeting balance and coordination, such as sticking them to a vertical surface while standing on a wobbly surface (couch cushion or Bosu ball) or working on reaching, developmental transitions (sit-to-stand, etc.) or stepping up/down. Using these little suction toys can help promote core strengthening, fine motor, gross motor and communication skills. From the PipSquigz in rattle form to the MiniSquigz there are endless ways to engage with these fun little suction cups through the lifespan. This incredibly versatile toy can be used in so many ways and comes in many forms. Visual attention and social engagement are also great for development and can be done looking at each other in the mirror! In early infancy, utilizing high contrast items such as pictures with black and white items is a great way to develop the visual sense. This is a great item for tummy time which is incredibly important for gross motor development, strengthening and eventual fine motor development. You can also use play mats and items with the play mat to promote exploration, cause & effect, body awareness and object permanence by hiding items and playing peekaboo. Play mats also have visually engaging items as well as some activities requiring fine motor skills such as grasp and release.
Play mats are a great place to engage your child in tummy time activities for gross motor development as well as reaching and grasping objects. If you are looking for toys for babies or toddlers with Down syndrome, the first two are must-haves.
Listed below are our favorite toys for kids with Down syndrome. Our Favorite Toys for Kids with Down Syndrome The following are some of our favorite toys to use when playing with children who have Down syndrome. Finding toys that target these areas of growth, but are not too difficult or frustrating to engage with, is key. Just remember that a toy is suitable if your child’s interest is stimulated and they are drawn in to engaging with the item.Īlso keep in mind that your child’s low muscle tone can make reaching, grasping, and handling certain toys more challenging. These are often not accurate and you may not be able to depend on the item’s suggested age suitability, as your child may be achieving milestones at a different rate than their age-equivalent peers. Try to disregard the age range written on the toy. While picking out toys for any child, it is important to keep a few things in mind to ensure suitability for the child’s development and growth. Singing and dancing are excellent ways to work on language, social interaction and motor skills! Also, many children with Down syndrome love music. Toys that encourage social interaction as well as cause & effect are beneficial in early stages and as a child ages, finding toys that foster language, gross motor and fine motor development will be best. What makes a toy beneficial for a child with Down syndrome is often the same as what makes a toy helpful for any child. Not only are these toys a ton of fun, they will also benefit your child in various developmental areas! Therapist-Approved Toys for Kids with Down SyndromeĬhildren who have Down syndrome need the same play-based materials and toys that any other child needs. In this blog, NAPA OT Courtney shares her favorite toys for kids with Down syndrome.