TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Toys are designed in order to develop child’s motor skill. The play with the toys makes the child think, use memory, plan, and investigate the things. The young child uses his power of mind and body so as to respond effectively to the stimuli he has met. Whilst cerebral palsy affects the children in many ways most prominent of which is the difficulty with movement. The toys meant especially for the children with cerebral palsy are designed to help them with their movement and stimulates the mind.

While selecting the toys for children with cerebral palsy a specific child should be kept in mind since a toy that pleases one child may frustrate the other child. Generally the toys suitable for these children are sensory toys with bright colors, flashing lights, loud noises and different textures so as to enhance hand-eye coordination.

Cerebral palsy is a congenital condition that impairs movement, perceptions, balance, and coordination. There is no cure for cerebral palsy but still many children lead meaningful lives despite being living with physical therapies and specialized equipments. These children find it difficult to stand still, grasp or hold things, catching a moving toy. As such while you buy the toys for the children with cerebral palsy, you should be able to challenge your child in the field they face maximum difficulty and also the child should be able to enjoy playing with toys rather than getting frustrated.

Manipulative toys like arranging and organizing building blocks, puzzles with large puzzle pieces, balls of different colors, shapes and sizes can help the children with cerebral palsy to hold things firmly with two hands. Although these children with face problem initially while grasping the objects but this problem can be solved by attaching some grasping aids to the toys.

To assist the children with cognitive impairment it would be an effective way to get them large colorful picture sets. Refer the pictures with large textures, colors, shapes to stimulate their senses. Sophisticated tools should not be purchased but simple tools will be a good choice. These children find it difficult to perform more than one work at a time. It is also hard for them to perform a task I which one hand has to do some work while the other hand has to do some other work simultaneously. So it’s important t make sure that everything is stable and the toys do not move or work haphazardly.

Bowls filled with beads, beans or jelly beans are good for counting, sorting and grouping. This will enhance their controlled movement. Also the building blocks and large dominoes used for stacking can be useful for controlled movement. Keeping box around filled with wheeled toys like trucks and cars of varied sizes deal excellently with non-verbal expression and self control.

You can find the toys in the local stores or even you can place your orders ( this facility is also available online). Mainstream toys help greatly with developmental skills such as controlled movement, coordination and cognitive awareness. While helping out the children in their disability you need not forget that toys are fun!

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