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Adapting Play Things and Materials |
Since children have different needs, it is important to remember the child’s abilities and disabilities, whether physical, cognitive, sensory, or a combination of disabilities, and how one would want to adapt a toy to foster growth through play. Adaptations do not have to be expensive in order for a child to benefit. Some basic ideas for simple toy adaptations include:
Stabilize:
Make toys and materials stationary by attaching them to a desk, table or wheelchair tray.
Line the play surface with velcro material and attach velcro to some part of the toy.
Place suction cups on the bottom of the toy, Dycem, shelf liner or a rubber pad under the toy.
Standard C-clamps can stabilize certain toys such as wooden puzzles, activity centers, etc.
Enlarge:
Trace the toy piece on cardboard extending it, then glue to the back of the piece.
Enlarge game cards on a copier machine and mount on a firmer surface such as cardboard.
Attach handles:
Add large foam grips to crayons, markers or pencils for drawing and coloring.
Attach velcro wristbands to puppets and miniature toys.
Screw dowel rods or empty thread spools onto toy handles or puzzle pieces.
Wrap masking tape or soft foam on the handles of pencils, markers, utensils, etc.
Use a velcro wristband and pieces of velcro on the surface of the toy pieces.
Use concrete play materials:
If a child with a cognitive delay is playing games or using a computer activity where basic concepts (open/closed, few/many, little/big, etc.) are presented, use similar real objects, toys or actions.
Add cues for focusing:
Block the busy backgrounds with cardboard.
Line the edges of the pathway with bright colored yarn.
Cover up everything on the board game except the pathway.
Place dark colored toys on a light surface, such as a towel, and light toys on a dark surface.
Lay all the pieces of toys with multiple pieces and colors on a solid colored surface.
For toys with multiple similar pieces, paint the pieces different colors using lead-free paints and/or alter the texture of the pieces by placing cotton, a sponge, shelf liner, carpet pieces etc. around the toy pieces.
Remove distractions from the play area before play begins. Simply turn off the TV, remove clutter and provide good lighting to decrease distractions from play.
Frame the computer screen with fabric or a box to block visual clutter from sight.
Make materials safe:
Keep sandpaper handy to remove any sharp edging on play materials.
Check for loose or removable parts and either remove the parts or fasten them permanently.
Make toys accessible:
Devise a system for children who are unable to reach out and grab, so they can select their own toy.
Have the child point toward toys arranged in separate cubicles on shelves or point to pictures of toys arranged on a simple picture symbol communication board.
Resources: http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/distech/no-frames/online/section3/sec3_132.html, Church and Glennen (1992), and http://www.center4creativeplay.org/adapted.htm, by Heidi Anne Baron and Suzanne Traynor.