Manufacturer Name:
Little Tikes
Product Name:
Customer Quote: I love the floorboard. I didn’t have to worry about my daughter’s feet getting caught under the car. -- Mother, Chicago Heights, IL
Product Images:
Sensory Description
The 30th Anniversary edition of the Cozy Coupe provides plenty of opportunities for sensory experiences.
Both the floorboard insert and the “foot-to-floor” action of the Cozy Coupe provide proprioceptive input through the legs and feet.
The slight texture of the steering wheel, in contrast to the smooth texture of the horn, provides contrasting tactile input when “driving” the Cozy Coupe.
The open design of the Cozy Coupe allows for the sensory experiences of wind on the child’s skin, water when going past a sprinkler, feeling the warmth of the sun, etc.
Play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention span permits.
Skills
The child gains proprioceptive input from the pressure of their feet pushing on the ground to propel forward.
When opening the door and closing the latch on the Cozy Coupe, as well as when steering, the child explores tactile discrimination of smooth and slightly textured surfaces.
The large size and 360 degree rotation of the wheels of the Cozy Coupe allow for the exploration of different terrain, such as concrete, rubber play surfaces, or short grass areas. This provides the opportunity to experience tactile and proprioceptive input through the texture and firmness of a surface.
When children ride in the Cozy Coupe and feel their feet pushing on the ground, they are receiving proprioceptive input that helps them become aware of their body position and movement.
Play Ideas
Children can go on an expedition to their favorite park or playground, experiencing all of the terrains they’ll drive their Cozy Coupe over along the way.
Children can give a ride to a soft teddy bear or other favorite toy, adding a new texture to their experience.
Adaptation Ideas
A non-skid “wobbly seat” can be used to increase the input to the body’s vestibular system, as the child will be balancing as they play in the Cozy Coupe.
Non-skid fabric can be used on the seat, adding a new texture on the Cozy Coupe. Rotate the texture periodically for continued interest and appeal.
A secure steering wheel cover with a different texture, such as sheepskin or leather, can be used to provide additional tactile input.
Cover the horn button with a textured surface, such as fabric or sandpaper.
Physical Description
The Cozy Coupe’s oversized doors and sitting space aid children with physical impairments in navigating the processes for getting in and out
The steering wheel and “horn” button are also easy to grasp, turn or push.
The Cozy Coupe’s wide base provides stability when getting in or out.
The latch on the door of the Cozy Coupe offers extra security for a child who may need trunk support if they are to lean on the door while playing.
The Cozy Coupe’s new features of the optional floor board and a caregiver “handle” on the back for pushing allow for use by children with a much wider range of motor skills.
Only one door opens, allowing children to lean on the other side for added stability.
Play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention span permits.
Skills
Children can use the large muscle groups in their legs to “drive” the Cozy Coupe around, exploring the different uses of their legs and foot placements to make it go faster or slower.
When getting into or out of the Cozy Coupe, as well as during play, the upper body, trunk, and lower body are used and strengthened, as well as the processes of coordinating the movements to use them concurrently.
Children work on core strengthening through trunk support and rotation when driving or riding in the Cozy Coupe.
The steering wheel and horn button provide opportunities to work on reaching, grasping and hand/wrist rotation.
Play in the Cozy Coupe encourages whole body coordination, as a child may have to coordinate movements to maintain a straight path or turn, especially those with a physical impairment, such as left- or right-side paresis.
The Cozy Coupe’s cup holder can provide a great opportunity for trunk rotation and hand-eye coordination, as the child turns to get or put away his/her cup.
When children ride in the Cozy Coupe and feel their feet pushing on the ground, they are receiving proprioceptive input that helps them become aware of their body position and movement.
Play Ideas
A child can use their gross motor and coordination skills while guiding the Cozy Coupe through an “obstacle course” they design.
The easy to grasp wheel allows the child to “turn” in the desired direction when asked while they coordinate their feet to guide them in that direction.
When more than one child is playing, the Cozy Coupe can be part of a “train,” where the child uses their motor skills to follow the direction others are taking.
The Cozy Coupe encourages the use of fine and gross motor skills when the child performs the “routine” of getting in the car, pretending to buckle their seat belt, adjust mirrors or the radio, etc.
Adaptation Ideas
A rolled up towel or other support can be used to provide trunk support when a child is sitting on the seat of the Cozy Coupe.
The floor board is a great adaptation that is already a feature of this year’s Cozy Coupe. It provides a stable and safe platform for a child who is not using his feet to propel the Cozy Coupe. Note: While it reduces the risk of a child’s legs getting caught or dragged underneath the car, it does decrease the leg space available for an older or taller child.
Taking the Cozy Coupe over varying terrains will encourage child’s ability to adapt his/her coordination and strength needed to propel the car.
Adding a non-skid fabric (like shelf liner) to the seat can offer more secure positioning for children who need help with trunk stability.
Communicative Description
Driving in the Cozy Coupe attracts the attention of others, leading to social opportunities.
The car provides opportunities for pretend play which is an important stimulator for language.
Taking turns driving and riding (turn taking) is a building block of language.
Play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention span permits.
The child’s hands are busy playing and driving, and therefore are less likely to be used for self-stimulatory behaviors.
Skills
Children learn the pre-language skill of taking turns when playing in the same area as other children.
When using the floorboards, mobilization is dependent on the parent thus communication is encouraged through the child expressing their wishes to go, stop, turn, etc.
Expressive communication is developed when the child plays with the Cozy Coupe through the imitation of the sounds of a vehicle.
The Cozy Coupe’s cup holder can provide a great opportunity for trunk rotation and hand-eye coordination, as the child turns to get or put away his/her cup.
The Cozy Coupe encourages receptive and expressive language skills as children follow directions, express wants and needs, and engage in pretend or cooperative play.
A child can mobilize, or direct the mobilization of the Cozy Coupe to explore adverbs such as faster/slower, farther/nearer and softer/louder.
When children ride in the Cozy Coupe and feel their feet pushing on the ground, they are receiving proprioceptive input that helps them become aware of their body position and movement.
Play Ideas
The child can use their words to direct the caregiver if the guidance handle is being used.
Children can flex their word power while taking the Cozy Coupe out for a drive, describing scenery, getting gas, or pulling up to a “drive-through” (even using the cup holders to store the drinks they order). This can be accomplished by all means of communication (vocalization, sign, picture systems, devices, etc.)
Children using more than one Cozy Coupe or ride-on toy can use words, signs and sounds to navigate “traffic,” such as “beep, beep,” “my turn,” etc.
Adaptation Ideas
Cognitive Description
The uncomplicated components of the Cozy Coupe (large door, steering wheel, minimal buttons/levers/latches) allow for a child to initiate their own ideas for play (open ended play).
The car is simple and easy to understand.
The play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention span permits.
Skills
The steps to enter and use the Cozy Coupe (opening the door, putting the left foot/leg in first, then the right foot/leg, shutting the door, latching the door, placing feet down, moving feet to go, etc.) require sequential thought processes.
Memory skills are developed when recalling how to get into and use the Cozy Coupe from one play session to the next.
An understanding of spatial relationships is needed to maneuver the Cozy Coupe from one area to another, around objects, or around other people.
The Cozy Coupe provides many cause and effect opportunities, from beeping the “horn” to pushing with your feet to propel the car forward.
When “driving” the Cozy Coupe, the concepts of stop/go are encouraged, as well as in/out, push/pull and on/off.
For older children, right and left can be taught, from both the conceptual and the motor planning skill domains.
The self-directed or caregiver-directed play lends easily to learning adverbs such as faster/slower, farther/nearer, etc.
Play Ideas
Social understanding and pretend play can be promoted by taking the Cozy Coupe for a mock trip to the grocery store, post office, or a relative’s or friend’s house. For older children, the playtime could include planning for the trip (what do you need to bring, do you need to get gas, etc.), the actual trip (what do you see on the way, what do you do at a red light, etc.), and what you will do when you get there (shop, eat, play, see loved ones, etc.). For younger children, the playtime could be as simple as getting in/out of the car, making it stop/start, and beeping the horn.
A parent can help their child develop their ability to follow one-step directives (beep the horn, close the door, etc.) when the child is exploring the functions of the Cozy Coupe.
Adaptation Ideas
DESCRIPTION: Approx. Price: 41.00-50.00Box Age Range: 1+ yrs# of Pieces: 1Washability: Surface WipeStorability: Directions: Simple Play Locations: Indoor and Outdoor Adjustability: Levels of Play: Beginner and AdvancedBatteries: None needed
Features and Benefits
Durable Simple Easy to Clean One-Piece Unit Easy to Grasp/Hold Provides Pretend Play Opportunities Promotes Active Play Connects/Assembles Securely High Contrasting Colors Visually Stimulating Large Openings Open-ended Upright Position for Play Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity Oversized
Developmental processes promoted
Visual Attention Gross Motor Proprioceptive Input Wrist Rotation Two-Handed Play – Midline Focus and Transferring Physical Range of Motion Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity Problem Solving Imagination/Pretend Play Coordinated Movement Core Strengthening, Trunk Strength, Stability Reaching/Arm Extension Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off Eye-Hand Coordination Hand and Finger Grasp Fine Motor Visual Processing Memory and Recall Language Development Cause and Effect Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop Balance Motor Planning Self Esteem Visual Discrimination Foot Placement Turn Taking Sequential Thought Cooperative Hand Movements Bilateral Coordination
