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MAKING TOY ADAPTATIONS. Brian Simms, M.A. CCC-SLP Assistive Technology Specialist Assistive Technology Partners. A Plan for Our Time. Review purpose of play Identify steps to adapting toys Identify how children use toys and techniques for play facilitation
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MAKING TOY ADAPTATIONS Brian Simms, M.A. CCC-SLP Assistive Technology Specialist Assistive Technology Partners
A Plan for Our Time • Review purpose of play • Identify steps to adapting toys • Identify how children use toys and techniques for play facilitation • Examine materials for making adaptations • ACTIVITY- Brainstorm your toys • Other?
Why Do Children Play? • Cognitive Understanding • Problem solving • Practice new skills persistence in problems solving • Perseverance- pleasure from completing a task • Social-emotional development • Practice social skills • Language Use • Motor Development • BECAUSE IT SURE BEATS WORKIN’ !! Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)
Children with Disabilities and Play • Children with developmental delays progress through the same sequence of development, but • Reduced repertoire of play skills • Reduced language during play • Less sophisticated representational play • Limited selection of play materials (Not the case after today ) Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)
STEPS TO ADAPTING TOYS • Assess the Child’s Abilities (Child) • Target Play Behavior (Play Skill) • Select Toy (Toy) • Make Adaptations & Modifications (Materials) • PLAY!!!!
Cognitive Sensory Hearing Vision Integration Motor Gross Fine Communication Comprehension Production Social-Emotional STEP 1: Child’s Abilities
STEP 2: Target Play Behavior • What is the next developmental play step? • What category of play you would like to target?
STEP 2: Target Play Behavior (cont’d) • Developmental Sequence of Play Behavior (handout) • Categories of Play • Exploratory-sensory toys • Functional- telephone, pots n’ pans • Constructive- blocks • Dramatic or Symbolic- using a shoe for a phone • Games-with-rules- board games, tag, etc. • Rough-and-tumble- wrestling Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)
STEP 3: Select the Toy • Developmentally appropriate • Multi-sensory appeal • Method of activation • Opportunities for success • Self-expression • Adjustability • Safety and durability • Potential for interaction The National Lekotek Centerwww.lekotek.org
Velcro (there’s a variety!) Tongue depressors Dycem Fabric Dowel Rods Wooden handles Switches Magnets Felt Dots Battery Interrupter Rubber Bands Pipe insulation/hair curlers PVC pipe Suction cups STEP 4: Make AdaptationsMATERIALS TO USE IMAGINATION!!!
STEP 5: Play!!Techniques for Facilitating Play • Parallel play- playing along side child • Imitation- copying child’s activity • Modeling- demonstrating how to play • Expansion – building upon play skills
ACTIVITY • Get in groups/teams of … • Pick a toy from the bin • Describe child’s abilities (Child) • Target play behavior (Play Skill) • Select the Toy. Tell why you selected that toy. (Toy) • How will you adapt the toy or activity?(Materials)
What we covered • Why children need to play • Resources for identifying play skills • Examined materials to adapt toys • Created our own, unique adaptations! • What did you learn that was useful? How will you apply it?
Review: Steps to Adapting Toys • Assess the Child’s Abilities (Child) • Target Play Behavior (Play Skill) • Select Toy (Toy) • Make Adaptations & Modifications (Materials) • PLAY!!!!
Useful Websites • Lekotek • Great resource for accessible play ideas • www.lekotek.org • Patty King-Debaun • Alternative communication strategies and resources • www.creative-comm.com
Useful Websites • Let’s Play Project • Toy adaptations, communication and play • cosmos.buffalo.edu/letsplay/AT/at.html • Simplified Technology • Assistive technology and early childhood • www.lburkhart.com
Other Resources • PVC Book • Great ideas for the early childhood • How to make inexpensive toys & seating out of PVC pipe. • Created by our own Diane Brians