Ways to Help Kids With Special Needs in the Classroom

Why is play so important in early childhood development? Not only does play encourage creativity and imagination but it also facilitates language development, decision making abilities, social skills, fine and gross motor development and problem solving skills that help develop the physical, social and emotional well-being of children. For a child with disabilities, pretend play is even more crucial.

Subject: Quinn, a boy with autism, and the line of toys he made before falling asleep See more about Quinn at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7kHSOgauhg Date: Circa 2003 Place: Walnut Creek, California Photographer: Andwhatsnext Original digital photograph (cropped and resized) Credit: Copyright (c) 2003 by Nancy J Price (aka Mom) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sensory processing can be difficult for these children and sensory toys are specially designed to help kids with disabilities learn problem-solving skills and gain a measure of control over their environment. More and more teachers and parents of children with disabilities are learning the important role sensory toys play in the life of a child with special needs and are incorporating them into their classrooms and homes.

Sensory toys are not necessarily geared towards a specific age group but rather a developmental level and skill set. A child's age should not determine which toys are appropriate. Older children with autism, for example, can derive great benefit from toys that are designed for a younger child, such as blocks or a ball. Sensory toys for autism education are particularly important.

Many children with autism have difficulty with various textures and toys like sand and water tables, textured balls and other tactile objects can help a child 

overcome their difficulties with texture and touch. They can help a child with autism learn to interact with the world around them. In addition, sensory toys can help a child focus and aid in cognitive processing. Studies have shown that children who play with sensory toys during lessons retain more information then when they do not. Also, using sensory aids like a wiggle seat can help students to focus.

Some other helpful hints for the classroom:

• Provide a fidget toy and/or wiggle seat, cushion or weighted stuffed animal during circle/seated work time. 
• Have a child do something physical in the morning or before any long period of seated time. For example, jump on a trampoline, complete an obstacle course, crash into pillows, push or pull heavy objects or do jumping jacks. 
• Position an easily distracted child away from doors, windows, fans, lights or anything that may be overly stimulating or noisy. 
• Develop consistent routines and picture schedules to help children develop good habits. Children with disabilities often crave routines as it gives them a sense of control. Make sure to try and prepare kids for any changes in routine ahead of time.
• Once routines are established for a significant period of time, begin changing them slowly to help kids develop coping skills and build their tolerance to change. 
• Always provide positive reinforcement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7114506

By Allen Yesilevich

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• Half Of Children With Autism Wander, Study Says (huffingtonpost.com)
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Finding A Dentist For Special Needs Children

Special needs children require a dentist who is trained and educated to deal with them. Many of these patients have other dental concerns that may actually take precedence over the basic line of care that dental professionals extend to children on a regular basis. In spite of this, it is also vital that even the basics are upheld when it comes to caring for the oral cavities of kids with special needs.

- Basic Structure

The basic structure of the oral cavity is something that can be compromised when it comes to special kids. Their own dentists should look to maintain the basic structure of their oral cavities in order for them to be able to function well in this aspect. Many of the children have issues with regards to how they eat, what they eat and what they put in their mouths. Keeping their mouths and teeth in good shape will help to reduce the risk of other conditions that can be very common for children who need extra care and medical attention. The maintenance of good hygiene of the oral cavity is something that will help prevent further complication in this area. Children with harelips and other oral problems will benefit from the right maintenance and hygiene, while they are being evaluated and assessed by other medical professionals for other medical reasons.

- Routines

A dentist can also encourage the kids to get used to the routines that are needed to maintain good oral health. Many special children are not open to other people putting anything into their mouths, so as infants they should get used to the idea of their parents cleaning their teeth and oral cavities for them. Establishing an early routine, such as cleaning the teeth after meals, can help them feel more stable and in control of themselves. As younger children, they will be used to the cleaning routine and may even look forward to it or become adept at doing it themselves. A visit to the dentist as early as infancy can help parents to establish routines and other ways to help their children maintain oral health. It takes patience and understanding to do the cleaning and to teach the child to do it on his or her own.

Another routine that special needs kids must be open to is to floss in between teeth. No matter the state of the oral cavity, when a child eats, some bits and pieces are likely to be stuck in between the each tooth. Flossing can help minimize the risk of decay appearing in between each tooth if it is done regularly. Parents can do this when their children are still too young to handle the floss or may not be able to handle it at all. Rinsing the oral cavity after eating and drinking vitamins and medicines is also something that these children should be able to do. The dentist highly encourages parents to try to get their children to at least rinse their mouths regularly after consuming meals and after taking in sugary medicines, supplements or drinks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7176502

By Antoinette Ayana

Introducing ABC and 123

From the moment baby is born, his brain is starting to work overtime. We are wrong to think that all they do during the first weeks are eat and sleep and fill the diaper. Every interaction we do with the baby stimulates his intelligence. Little by little he recognizes mother’s voice and touch. He knows when it is time to feed him or time for bath. It is important to stimulate the baby’s brain as early as the first weeks to brace them up for more exercises the following months. Introduce those colors and sounds. You’d be surprise how early they will interact and know the ABCs and 123s.

Teaching them alphabets and counting does not require any age. As long as you think they can comprehend already, then you will know it is time. Make your nursery feel like a pre-school room. Attach alphabet posters on the wall. The more colorful it is, the more your child will notice the pictures. Show her books about numbers. Do it with a little story. You can do this in the morning when the baby is all up for a little chat and play with mommy. Recite the alphabet while you point each letter. But do not overdo it for it might stress your little tot. You can increase the time of play every day. Just be sensitive with your baby’s needs. It might tire him a bit. So you will know it is time for bath when he is not paying attention anymore.

Don’t get tired saying the letters or the numbers every day. Just a little attention from them would mean so much in the stimulation for intelligence. Do not frustrate yourself when the baby is not cooperating for that day because there might be other thing that interests him. Always be alert of what caught your baby’s attention. It might be the colorful building blocks on the other side of the room or just the nursery rhyme with a video playing in the television.

Every child learns with a different pace. You cannot expect yours to be the same with the other’s intelligence. Genetic and environment is very important. However, with moms as persistent and supportive as you are, child will learn faster and easier. The use of flashcards and posters are a big help in stimulating baby’s brain. Sing him songs, bring him around. Different people and places will catch his attention and make his brain work. Count things in front of him when you are working around the house. Do not bother yourself if he is not listening. Just recite the numbers and the alphabets. You see in a few more months, you will be surprise at how much he knows.

It is often requires a lot of time and effort on the part of mom and dad in stimulating every child’s social and intellectual development. It is during the toddler years that the child needs all the support he can get. Introducing the basics in education will turn out to be a lovely activity if not pushed too much by parents. Remember that you are not only honing his intelligence, you are also developing his emotional skill. You don’t want to sacrifice his trust on you by being too aggressive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7013477

By Isabel R

Help Your Child Be Healthy

The food your child eats is important not only now but also for the rest of his or her life. A small child is going to need various types of foods for energy to play, grow, and to build a healthy body. Muscles and bones are forming over the first fifteen years of life, and when eating the right types of foods and including smart nutrition your child is more likely to avoid sickness and to ward off some types of disease.

Your child's nutrition

Your child's nutrition is going to start with you. You child is going to see what foods you eat, and when you are more likely to eat them, and your child is going to build their own habits from those habits he or she sees you following. If you eat breakfast on the go, all the time, your child will feel this is normal and ok, but you should be sitting down to a breakfast every morning for good nutrition basics. Even if you are eating a bowl of cereal or you are enjoying a glass of juice, taking five minutes will encourage better eating habits.

Nutrition for your child's health

Healthy beginnings start with fruits, vegetables and good portions of meats. The food pyramid is going to be important in the early stages of life so that your child will learn to eat many types of foods, and not only the foods they like the taste and looks of. Giving your child many options in life will help them pick foods that are better for them in the long run. Healthy children are not going to eat burgers and fries for every meal, but they will have a well-rounded life with nutrition builders such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and variations of these builders.

Teaching good habits for your child's nutrition awareness will start with reading labels. Learn about what preservatives and additives are in some of the foods you are eating, and then talk about these with your child as they grow. Include foods that are all natural, or that contain very little preservatives for a solid start in their understanding of nutrition.

Be patient

Don't try to force your children to eat if they refuse to finish their meal. By creating drama in the kitchen, you set a bad tone for the future. Kids will automatically think of mealtime as a negative experience and will only become more reluctant when it comes to eating. Be persistent by offering a variety of foods along with those you know they like. As new foods become familiar, your children will be more likely to try them.

* Remember, timing is everything. In the midst of a dinnertime showdown, children don't want to hear all of the reasons why they should eat the food sitting on their plate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6868076

By Dhames Wary Karthiges

Top Toys in 2012 for Boys and Girls

We are going to look at some of the top toys in 2012 for boys and girls. By the time you’re done reading, you should have a very good idea of what the hot toys are going to be this year so that you can get your Christmas shopping done early, relax and actually enjoy the holidays this year!

A pile of Lego blocks, of assorted colours
and sizes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Top Toys for Baby and Toddler Girls

• LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer – The pink version of the LeapPad tablet is great for smaller girls who are into learning. At early ages, it is easier for children to learn and pick up on things. And with this they will not only be learning from the software, but also how to operate electronics.
• Move and Crawl Ball – The classic is still around, but it’s now made from different materials that will hold up better over time. Not to mention it has probably been safety tested quite a bit.

Best Toys for School Age Girls

•  LEGO Duplo Cinderella’s Carriage 6153 -For older girls who are into LEGO bricks in a big way, this is the perfect gift – especially if they are also into Disney Princesses.
• Disney Princess Ultimate Doll Collection – For girls who love Disney and love Princesses from Disney, this is going to be the ultimate gift for sure. It has all the major characters from all your favorite Disney movies.

Great Toys for Tween and Teen Girls

•  Apples to Apples Party Game Box – For girls who like games and being social, this is a great way for a group of girls (or girls and boys) to enjoy an afternoon get together.
• Bananagrams Anagram Game – Like Scrabble (in a way) without the board (but with the tiles) this is a great game for older girls who like intellectual pursuits. It comes with an adorable yellow banana bag as well, making it easy to keep everything together in one place.

Popular Toys for Toddler and Baby Boys

•  Fisher Price Soothe & Glow Seahorse – The green (or pink) version of this adorable plush toy is great for younger boys who want something they can call their own – something they can carry around, control and count on.
• Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy – Inexpensive, super cute and reliable are just a few of the good qualities of this puppy from Fisher Price. You know the brand already, but get ready for this cute pup to dominate sales in 2012.

Best Toys for Boys in School

•  Razor Pro XX Scooter – For athletic boys who like to be outdoors a lot, this Razor scooter is set to be huge in 2012. It’s available at a good price when you consider the high quality of the Razor brand.
• NERF Dart Tag Swarmfire Blaster – NERF has been popular for years and will continue to be huge for years to come. In 2012, expect to hear about this Swarmfire Blaster. While parents may not understand it, some young boys are going to really, really want it.

Hot Toys for Teen and Tween Boys

•  Air Hogs Heli-Cage R/C Helicopter – Yes, RC helicopters and cars are still popular with boys. And these days, there are quite a few choices out there. Expect the Air Hogs name to ring out a lot this holiday season.
• LEGO City Space Shuttle 3367 – Older boys who still love building are going to like the Space Shuttle set – especially if they are into space. Hopefully by 2013 there will be a new Mars rover set coming out!

Beyond the list of a few toys that are going to be hot in 2012, you really need to listen to the child who will be getting the gift. They are going to be able to tell you what they want the most.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7242376

By K. Paul Mallasch

The Importance of Baby Toys in Your Baby’s First Year

From the time babies are born they start learning new skills and their brain begins evaluating and storing understanding. Baby toys are the ideal items to help a baby develop these new skills and stimulate development in dexterity and brain function. Because babies initially spend most of their waking time lying on their back lovely bright mobiles suspended above them will encourage eye co-ordination and promote hand and leg movements as they are stimulated by the movement of the toy.

Your baby is naturally born with a grasp reflex. You only have to put a finger into the palm of the tiniest baby to see this at work as they will surprisingly grip it firmly. Toys which usually can be grasped such as rattle or soft toys can help this grasp reflex develop as your baby discovers to hold the toy and move it around. Such grasping toys should have a variety of surfaces including hard, soft, ridged or rough to provide the baby with a range of touch sensations.

As your baby grows older and becomes more mobile, other toys can be introduced to strengthen this new found skill. Toys that move on their own accord or change shape when handled are preferred at this stage. A string of large coloured wooden beads can be manipulated between their hands or a ball which makes a sound when moved is likewise appealing to your baby. Baby toys which can be easily pushed and retrieved are a good idea, such as toys on wheels that can be pushed away and pulled back by way of a string or handle.

Babies will quickly start sitting unaided and begin to examine their toys in more detail, shifting them from hand to hand and offering them for others to see. They will babble happily at their toys as they play thus helping advance their speech development. Bricks and blocks can provide hours of fun with its bright colours and attempts to build encourage the growing dexterity of the baby. Simple picture books can be introduced for educational purposes and also be an interactive device between the parent and baby.

Once baby starts to crawl everything is within their reach. At this time baby toys that have a push and chase element can retain baby’s interest and a great source of fun. Your baby is now increasingly able to manipulate toys and the idea of taking something apart followed by putting it back together provides great fun. Thus, toys like blocks or beads that clip together or a box with slots for things to go through are much valued. Your baby will also enjoy hiding and re-appearing or something as simple as a play tunnel can provide hours of crawling through and sitting in out of sight. Such toy will help enhance awareness of space and self-confidence within your baby.

When babies reach the end of their first year they must have acquired significant milestones aided and encouraged by their suitable baby toys. Simultaneously their mental and physical development has been much improved by the play and experimentation with sound, touch, colour and movement which these toys provided. Baby toys help build a solid foundation during your baby’s first year and will develop their physical coordination, social interaction and mental aptitude.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6722263

By Kathie R. Dionisio

Educational Toys – The First Learning Tools That Are Available to Our Youth

With the introduction of an educational toy to a child, the world of learning is opened up. A child has the natural desire to learn new things and explore possibilities. This is why the introduction of educational toys at a young age is so fundamental to a child’s early developmental years.

These toys that a child can learn from come in many different shapes, sizes and kinds. There are the first ones that are the ABC wooden blocks. This will expose a child to the written language that will also be fun to play with. With this exposure they will begin to recognize the different shapes of the letters. Soon they will be able to sound them out with help from a loving parent.

The next toy should be the 123 wooden block set. This introduces the numbering system. This is an easy concept that children find fun learning.

With a child’s age increasing, so does the complexity of the education. Puzzles are a great way for a child to recognize shapes. The pictures on the puzzle let them visualize what is being made. It helps the little minds develop to figure problems out. The simple early puzzles are basic but important. A 12 to 18 piece is great to begin with. In time, they will be able to piece together 24-piece and 48-piece puzzles.

Educational toys are not limited to just the basics. There are educational toys that are made for children reaching up and into their early teens. But without a solid foundation of the basics, a child cannot advance to their fullest potential.

Choose each educational toy for your child carefully and help them to achieve their fullest potential.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4227953

By Mark Y. Salmon

Great Toys For the First Three Months

Congratulations on your new baby! Newborns may not seem like they do much at first, but they are constantly learning by using their senses. New babies soak up information like a sponge and they do so by looking, touching, and hearing. Seeing your baby learn new things on a daily level can be exciting! Great developmental toys for infants can help your child grow their senses and assist them in learning about their environment.

Rearranged my toy shelf (Photo credit: Andy Woo)

A great toy for your baby’s first three months is an unbreakable mirror. The mirror helps your newborn become aware of their surroundings without having to go far. This gives your little one some entertainment while acquiring important tummy time. Babies love to look at faces and the mirror allows them to see their face up close and helps their eyes to focus. You might find your baby actually talking and laughing to themselves in the mirror.

In the first three months, infants will adore toys with bright colors and funny shapes. Toys with bright patterns will help your baby distinguish certain objects from each other and hopefully promote them to reach and grab. Toys that encourage movement is very important! Funny shapes and textures help them to expand their realm of touch and you may even catch your infant trying to “figure it out”.

Soft toys are also great for newborns because they are easy to hold and can be very entertaining. Baby rattles and squeaky toys do wonders for increasing their sense of hearing and motor skills. The crinkle textured toys really fascinate babies and offers them a different sound that can grab their attention. Soft toys are also good for soft baby gums which can come in handy when your infant needs an oral fixation. Do not worry parents, putting toys in their mouth is a good thing and helps them get a better idea of their surroundings.

Scientists believe that when a baby is born there are certain neurological connections that are not yet formed and playing with toys helps connect the dots. The learning process for your newborn in the first three months can actually be very complex. Skills must be learned in a certain order and build on each other. There are not just one or two types of toys that are going to pave the proper brain paths that your baby will need for their senses. Soft toys are good for strengthening hands and fingers. Mobiles are great for the eyes and sight and music toys train the listening and hearing senses.

The first three months of your newborn’s life are crucial in sensory development. With each milestone your baby has there should be a toy that can help your little one reach the next neurological step. Playing is your infant’s full-time job and they need the right tools to get the job done! Newborn toys can help offer your child a multi-sensory familiarity of their environment that can build onto the next stage of infancy. Parents should be looking ahead for more developmental toys such as an activity table to prepare your baby for the next three to six months.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2721971

By Jim K Ford

Educational Kids Toys

Before fancy electronic equipment and computer chip generated toys, kids toys were crafted using simple shapes, materials and mechanisms which taught children how to use their hands and thus learn through playing. Though many children want and covet the new, high-tech toys of today; plenty of educational toys for kids are available which combine the benefits of old fashion craftsmanship with learning. The best kids toys are those which entertain, keep a child engaged and teach at the same time. Though not all toys can do all three things at once, those that do quickly become a child’s favorite and all of the non-educational toys seem to get routinely passed over as children naturally crave to learn new tasks, movements, ideas and experiences. You can use this natural ability and desire to become educated when choosing toys for kids by opting for those with a learning aspect to the toy itself.

 Older toys from the past, such as simple stacking blocks and building sets not only provided for hours of entertainment, they were also beneficial in helping children learn how to create things with their hands and solve problems by making pieces fir together. This also explains why toys such as blocks, puzzles, construction sets and balls have been longtime favorites of parents and kids alike. Not only does a child learn how to work with their hands, they learn basic and advanced critical thinking skills while playing. This type of learning through play has proven to be beneficial, so much so that even schools use play as a form of educating.

English: Soap bubbles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Educational toys for kids are available for young babies and toddlers all the way through to preteen age children who typically want something a bit more challenging. Babies can benefit by playing with toys which help teach hand and eye coordination, problem solving skills and basic sounds and speech. Older children benefit by using toys which help hone and diversify their knowledge of strategy and logical thinking. In fact, some of the best educational toys for children are so much fun for a child that they actually do not even realize that playing with the toys is beneficial to them.

 Kids toys, though ultimately deemed fun by the child playing with the toys, is something that can be useful when you need to provide something entertaining for a child to do. Though kids sometimes prefer high-tech toys which allow for the child to simply play and not think, the educational toys for children which are fun and engaging bring about a renewed sense of energy as the child becomes thoroughly engaged while playing. The right toys for children are those which are age appropriate, built well and give the child something to do which grabs and keeps their attention for an extended period of time. In choosing toys for your children, or to give as gifts, you need to make sure the toys allow for the child to learn and grow through the experience of playing with the toys. When this happens, the child has fun and benefits from playing and the parents and caregivers get a good feeling of providing an educational experience for the child which is fun as well.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6777780

 By Dragutin Filipcic

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