Picking the perfect toy or game for the kids in your life may be challenging. And for family members and friends looking for a holiday gift for a child with special needs, the process can be overwhelming.
To address that need, Parents' Choice Foundation has partnered with Kennedy Krieger Institute, a Baltimore-based research, patient care and special education organization that is dedicated to helping kids with disabilities. The goal: to establish a national resource for uniform testing, certification and labeling of toys for kids of all ability levels.
Working together, Kennedy Krieger and Parents' Choice have selected some of the best toys available for children with a variety of special needs. For example, Oball ($5.99, all ages, Rhino Toys) can help build fine and gross motor skills and, when playing with another person, also improve social skills. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the Wii and DS (starts at $34.95, all ages, Nintendo) can help develop coordination and gross motor skills. First Snaps ($17.99, 6 months, Alex Jr.) are good for improving dexterity and the ability to manipulate things with little hands.
Kids can have fun and build crucial motor skills.
Elisa Mintz Delia, Kennedy Krieger's assistant clinical administrator, says parents can find plenty of affordable and therapeutic toys. They just need a resource that explains which toys or games can help their children improve their skills.
To learn more about great toys for children with special needs, go online and check out parents-choice.org/holiday.
Claire Green is president of Parents' Choice Foundation, a non-profit guide to quality children's media and toys.
For more information, visit parents-choice.org.
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