Published on AblePlay - Play products for Children with Disabilities and Special Needs (http://ableplay.hubshift.net)



Manufacturer Name:
Little Tikes
Product Name:
PopTunes Big Rocker Guitar
Customer Quote: I love the songs! It’s a nice deviation from traditional nursery rhymes. Kids can really jam! -- Mother, Chicago, IL
Product Images:
PopTunes Big Rocker Guitar
Sensory Description
  • Music is an inclusive activity that children with and without disabilities can enjoy together.
  • The pretend tuning pegs on the guitar’s neck flash when the music is activated.
  • There are two volume levels on this guitar adjusted with a small knob on the front of the guitar.
  • The guitar has bright bold colors that are visually engaging.
  • The activation buttons, three strings and whammy bar are all raised and easy to activate by touch alone.
Skills
  • Children can isolate finger movements to press individual buttons on the guitar. This strengthens fine motor skills used for dressing, eating, writing, and etc.
  • Music is an avenue to express individual creativity. Children can use this guitar to express themselves.
Play Ideas
Adaptation Ideas
  • If the soft volume setting is still too loud for a child, place a piece of strapping or box tape over the speaker. Note: Only use this modification with constant caregiver supervision.
Physical Description
  • The buttons and strings on the guitar require a very light touch to activate.
  • Refined movements are not necessary for successful activation.
  • Music is an inclusive activity that children with and without disabilities can enjoy together.
Skills
  • Children can isolate finger movements to press individual buttons on the guitar. This strengthens fine motor skills used for dressing, eating, writing, and etc.
  • The guitar supports two-handed play and bilateral coordination. One hand is used to hold and stabilize the guitar while the other is used to strum.
  • Music is an avenue to express individual creativity. Children can use this guitar to express themselves.
Play Ideas
  • Create a band with friends both with and without disabilities. Music can be an equalizer for play.
Adaptation Ideas
  • Create a guitar strap by tying a belt or other long piece of cloth onto the guitar. Note: Only use this modification with constant caregiver supervision.
  • The guitar can be activated in different positions. Determine the optimum play position for the child and then place the guitar for successful access. It can be placed on an easel stand for an upright play position or laid flat on a table.
Communicative Description
  • The guitar supports two-handed play: one to hold and stabilize and the other to strum. This keeps both hands busy for children who may hand flap.
  • Music is an inclusive activity that children with and without disabilities can enjoy together.
Skills
  • Children can isolate finger movements to press individual buttons on the guitar. This strengthens fine motor skills used for dressing, eating, writing and etc.
  • Encourage social play by having children create a band together. Each child can play a different musical instrument simultaneously. As development progresses, they can incorporate rhythm and coordination of song in play.
  • Memory and recall skills can be incorporated into play as children remember what colored keys correspond to each song.
  • Choice making is encouraged as children remember what songs the guitar is preprogrammed with and choose what song they would like to activate.
  • Pretend play can be a part of this guitar as children pretend to be in a rock band or pretend to be a famous musician like Elvis.
  • Music is an avenue to express individual creativity. Children can use this guitar to express themselves.
Play Ideas
  • Have the child put on a show for the family. Introduce him to the living room “stage” and have the audience sit and clap to encourage his performance. Alternately, place the child’s stuffed animals and dolls in a row along the couch and have the child perform for this unique audience. This second option may be preferred by children who have a difficult time being the center of attention.
  • Create a band with friends. Use other instruments or create your own by hitting wooden spoons on the bottom of a box or using two metal lids for cymbals.
Adaptation Ideas
Cognitive Description
  • Strumming the guitar gives children the opportunity to use purposeful hand movements.
  • Music is an inclusive activity that children with and without disabilities can enjoy together.
  • The guitar has simple steps to understand in order to activate and play.
Skills
  • Cause and effect learning takes place as children press the buttons and strum the strings of the guitar and hear an immediate response.
  • Children can isolate finger movements to press individual buttons on the guitar. This strengthens fine motor skills used for dressing, eating, writing, and etc.
  • Memory and recall skills can be incorporated into play as children remember what colored keys correspond to each song.
  • Choice making is encouraged as children remember what songs the guitar is preprogrammed with and choose what song they would like to activate.
  • Pretend play can be a part of this guitar as children pretend to be in a rock band or pretend to be a famous musician like Elvis.
  • Music is an avenue to express individual creativity. Children can use this guitar to express themselves.
Play Ideas
  • Play one of the five preprogrammed songs and have the child guess what color was pressed.
  • Have the child put on a show for the family. Introduce him to the living room “stage” and have the audience sit and clap to encourage his performance. Alternately, place the child’s stuffed animals and dolls in a row along the couch and have the child perform for this unique audience.
Adaptation Ideas


Sensory

Physical

Communicative

Cognitive







DESCRIPTION:
Electronic toy guitar with five contemporary pop songs to play, strings to strum and whammy bar to add musical interest.

Approx. Price: $19.99
Box Age Range: 2+ yrs
# of Pieces: 1
Washability: Surface Wipe
Storability:
Directions: None
Play Locations: Indoor
Adjustability:
Levels of Play: One Level
Batteries: Yes – Included


Features and Benefits
  • Lightweight
  • Auditorily Stimulating
  • Visually Stimulating
  • One-Piece Unit
  • Easy to Store
  • Simple
  • Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Developmental processes promoted
  • Auditory Attention
  • Auditory Processing
  • Cause and Effect
  • Fine Motor
  • Hand and Finger Grasp
  • Eye-Hand Coordination
  • Motor Planning
  • Self Esteem
  • Creativity
  • Bilateral Coordination