Toy Ratings: Moms and Dads Doing Their Homework Reading Toy Ratings before purchasing toys for special needs children.
Special needs children get very excited when they get a new toy. But sometimes moms and dads feel frustrating finding the best toy for buy for their kids. One thing that makes it easier is when parents can review toy ratings and toy reviews online. Parents feel dread when they shell out cash for a fancy toy that ended up at the bottom of the toy box because their child doesn't enjoy it?
Toy Ratings Help Parents Find the Best Toys
That's the very problem that Ellen Metrick at AblePlay.org sought to solve. She has the most fun job in the world helping to rate the "fun factor" in toys for children. In her experience writing toy reviews, she has seen first hand that special needs children desire toys properly matched with their abilities that help them expand and build upon their current capabilities.
In her experience Ellen has seen parents frustrated and overwhelmed shopping in a toy store wondering how to find the "needle in the haystack" toy that is perfect for their child.
Toy Ratings Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children
Here are some recommendations to keep in mind when using toy ratings and toy reviews to shop for special needs toys:
Toy Rating Tip 1.
When looking at the recommended age on the toy packaging, keep in mind that is the recommended actual age of the child. It is not reflective of the developmental age of the child. Some children have skills more advanced then most kids their age. Others are behind in their development.
Toy Rating Tip 2:
The toy box doesn't always give parents enough information to truly evaluate a toy. Reading toy ratings and toy reviews online can provide additional insights to help you determine if the toy is a good fit.
Toy Rating Tip 3:
Try to uncover what skills are required to fully use and enjoy a toy. It's possible that a special needs child may not have the required motor skills to make full use of a toy. Buying a toy that a child cannot work may lead to frustration. Imagine having a shiny new toy where the child is unable to press the buttons or do what is required to make the toy function.
Toy Rating Tip 4:
Determine if the sensory stimulation the toy provides is an appropriate level for the child. Some children may be startled by flashing lights or beeping sounds and music. The shock may even send some special needs children into seizures.
Toy Rating Tip 5:
The toy box or a toy commerical on TV or a magazine provides very little information to help a parent assess what skills are required to use a toy. Toy reviews and toy ratings may provide a more detailed level of explanation to help you properly access a toy.
Toy Rating Tip 6:
Toy ratings can provide additional insights to help parents find new methods that mainstream toys can be used with special needs children. So doing homework when toy shopping really pays off for parents to give them ideas.
Toy Rating Tip 7:
Many toys can be adapted for use at different stages in a child's development. Reading toy ratings helps parents to extend the life of a toy and help kids gain more value and fun out of the play products they have.
Online toy rating sites and toy reviews make it so quick and easy for parents to find the best toys for their special needs children. It helps parents invest their money wisely in selecting toys that bring the most educational value and fun for special needs children. So whether it's the hottest mainstream toy or a little known special needs play product, parents can find the best toy ratings and toy reveiws at www.AblePlay.org. AblePlay is part of the nonprofit National Lekotek Center, the leading authority on play for children with disabilities www.lekotek.org.
