Welcome to the AblePlay Website ("AblePlay Site"). Please review the following rules that govern your use of the Lekotek Site (the "Agreement").
BY ACCESSING THE ABLE PLAY RATING SYSTEM ON THE ABLEPLAY SITE, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS SUCH TERMS
MAY BE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME.
The First Toddle® Baby Gym 5-in-1 Play and Development System, with its versatility and many accessories, supports a child through years of play and development. This multi-activity center is easy to assemble and can be configured into 6+ different designs. It has parallel bars that are adjustable to three different heights - 17", 22", and 27" to provide a safe environment for a child learning to walk. It is safety tested and certified containing no PVC, lead or paint. Includes 10 sports toys and accessories.
Approx. Price: $129.95 Box Age Range: 0+ yr # of Pieces: 11-50 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Bulky Directions: Simple Play Locations: Indoor Adjustability: Several Adjustable Features Levels of Play: Five or More Levels Batteries: None needed
Wide Age Range
Oversized
Inviting Due to Uniqueness
Large Openings
Open-ended
Innovative
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
Many Accessories
High Quality
Connects/Assembles Securely
Portable
Includes Activity Guide to Expand Play
Provides Pretend Play Opportunities
Easy to Grasp/Hold
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Easy to Store
Versatile
Upright Position for Play
Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Visually Stimulating
Tactilely Stimulating
High Contrasting Colors
Durable
Lightweight
Developmental processes promoted
Patience
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Reaching/Arm Extension
Core Strengthening, Trunk Strength, Stability
Coordinated Movement
Problem Solving
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Physical Range of Motion
Tactile Discrimination
Two-Handed Play – Midline Focus and Transferring
Precision
Wrist Rotation
Pointing, One Isolated Finger
Gross Motor
Balance
Motor Planning
Self Esteem
Creativity
Weight Shifting
Foot Placement
Turn Taking
Cooperative Hand Movements
Object Recognition and Identification
Bilateral Coordination
Strategic Thinking
Eye-Hand Coordination
Hand and Finger Grasp
Fine Motor
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
First Toddle gives a child a safe way to stand and walk which builds self-esteem and independence.
The large size of First Toddle and the included play mat helps keeps the child stable.
The strong and sturdy construction can hold the child’s weight and keep them balanced.
Included accessories are safe with rounded pieces and no small parts that may cause a choking hazard.
First Toddle is versatile and can be adjusted for the child’s physical and developmental needs.
Adjustable parallel bars can be set at low, medium and high heights.
Play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
First Toddle has no right or wrong way to play which can increase confidence and lessen frustration.
The see through tent material enables a caregiver to monitor the child’s safety while the child plays in the tent.
First Toddle is visually stimulating and attracts children’s attentions.
First Toddle offers open-ended play which is a critical aspect of play.
First Toddle includes accessories that enhance the novelty and increase the age range.
Skills
If a child plays on his tummy he will build strength in his neck, back and arm muscles.
Fine motor skills can be developed when a child pulls, shakes and moves the hanging toys.
The large size of toy encourages reaching and stretching.
The different fine motor activities provide a great opportunity to build hand coordination, skills and strength.
Balance is built as a child maneuvers around the gym or plays one of the game options.
Grasping at the hanging toys builds eye-hand coordination.
This system assists in learning how to weight-shift, especially when having to pivot around to walk in the opposite direction.
While standing between the parallel bars of the First Toddle, forward reaching and squatting/ bending can be encouraged using hanging toys and toys on the floor in front of the child.
Setting up the First Toddle as a crawl through tent encourages crawling, tummy and floor time for children with low muscle tone.
Play Ideas
Place a motivating toy or object on the end activity table to help encourage a child to walk across to the other end.
Play “car wash” by hanging strips of fabric, plastic or beads from the bars and have the child crawl through. Sing the car wash song. Note: lengths of strips and beads should not exceed 10”. Direct supervision is required for this activity.
Hang a sheet or blanket over the bars to make a tent. Follow the child’s lead and see how he plays in the tent and then join him.
Count how many steps or jumps it takes to get from one end of the parallel bars to another.
Play peek-a-boo. Hang a sheet over one side of the bars, have the child hide behind that sheet and then pop up and say “peek-a-boo”. This is a great activity to practice squatting!
Adaptation Ideas
Sit or kneel on the floor and physically assist the child.
Hang objects that are easy to grasp.
Hang objects that are motivating to the child.
Show the child photos or videos from the First Toddle website at http://firsttoddle.com/ of other children using the toy to help make it more understandable for play.
For a child who uses a communication device use picture communication symbols to demonstrate emotions and actions such as, “I want to walk.”
Provide rewards and motivating items to encourage child to walk between the parallel bars and/or move through the First Toddle.
Adding the attachable accessories can make a stimulating environment for a child who has a visual impairment.
The play with this system does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
The child’s hands will be busy playing lessening self-stimulatory behaviors.
The included accessories are safe with rounded pieces and no small parts that may cause choking hazards.
First Toddle is versatile and can be adjusted for a child’s sensory and developmental needs.
Adjustable parallel bars can be set at low, medium and high heights.
First Toddle has no right or wrong way to play which can increase confidence and lessen frustration.
The mesh tent material enables a caregiver to monitor the child’s safety while the child plays in the tent.
First Toddle is visually stimulating and attracts children’s attention.
First Toddle offers open-ended play which is a critical aspect of play.
First Toddle includes accessories that enhance the novelty and increase the age range.
Skills
Children who are blind or have visual impairments can learn to coordinate movements by walking, crawling or kicking.
Exploring the different materials of the balls and soft toys can help develop a child’s tactile awareness and discrimination skills.
Cause and effect can be developed when the ball is thrown in the hoop because the ball does not fall out of the hoop. This gives the child time to process his accomplishment.
Using the included accessories, caregivers can help a child recognize different shapes such as oval (football) and circle (ball).
Turn taking skills can be built as a caregiver and child play hockey, basketball or soccer.
First Toddle induces problem solving as the child learns how to navigate and use the various parts of the gym.
The open-ended nature of this system provides opportunities for pretend play
Play Ideas
Make sure to talk about everything you and the child are doing to reinforce communication. Talk about the colors of the toy, count how many steps the child took, and discuss the child’s accomplishments in specific detail.
Make the First Toddle into a tent and hide objects with different textures in the tent. Have the child reach in and try to guess the object without looking.
Play “car wash” by hanging strips of fabric, plastic or beads from the bars and have the child crawl through. Sing the car wash song. Note: lengths of strips and beads should not exceed 10”. Direct supervision is required for this activity.
Hang toys with different sensory materials from the cloth straps, discuss the textures and find objects in the room that have that texture.
Set up the First Toddle like a tent and use a flash light. Put toys in the tent and have the child find the items with the light.
Count how many steps or jumps it takes to get from one end of the parallel bars to another.
When First Toddle is set up like a soccer goal or basketball court, a caregiver can teach the child social skills such as taking turns, staying back when shooting the basketball, and good sportsmanship.
Follow the children’s lead in play and be careful not to “adulterate” their play.
Adaptation Ideas
For a child who has a visual impairment hang toys that make sound and are tactilely appealing.
Play a sound at one end of the First Toddle to help the child with a visual impairment find his way to the other end.
For a child who has a hearing impairment, hand toys that have moving parts and are visually exciting.
If the child has sensory issues add or remove sensory input from the toy depending on the child’s individual needs.
First Toddle is large enough to accommodate multiple children which can foster socialization.
First Toddle is visually stimulating and attracts children’s attentions.
Play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
First Toddle offers open-ended play which is a critical aspect of play.
First Toddle includes accessories that enhance the novelty and increase the age range.
First Toddle has no right or wrong way to play which can increase confidence and lessen frustration.
The toy can be individualized to help foster each child’s abilities.
Skills
The open-ended nature of the toy provides opportunities for pretend play.
Turn taking skills can be built as a caregiver and child play hockey, basketball or soccer.
Play Ideas
Play a group game such as soccer, basketball or football to foster turn taking and other social skills.
Have the child put on a puppet show. Pretend play encourages language in children.
Have the child push an object to someone on the other side of the First Toddle while making a unique sound each time. For example, have the child growl as ball is rolled to other side and then caregiver says “hohoho” as they pass the ball back.
Play “car wash” by hanging strips of fabric, plastic or beads from the bars and have the child crawl through. Sing the car wash song. Note: lengths of strips and beads should not exceed 10”. Direct supervision is required for this activity.
Make sure to talk about everything you and the child are doing to reinforce communication. Talk about the colors of the toy, count how many steps the child took, and discuss the child’s accomplishments in specific detail.
Make the First Toddle into a tent and hide objects with different textures in the tent. Have the child reach in and try to guess the object without looking.
Follow the children’s lead in play and be careful not to “adulterate” their play.
Adaptation Ideas
Show the child photos or videos from the First Toddle website at http://firsttoddle.com/ of other children using the toy to help make it more understandable for play.
For a child who uses a communication device use picture communication symbols to demonstrate emotions and actions such as, “I want to walk.”
First Toddle has no right or wrong way to play which can increase confidence and lessen frustration.
First Toddle can be individualized to help foster each child’s cognitive functioning ability.
Play with this item does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
The mesh tent material enables a caregiver to monitor the child’s safety while the child plays in the tent.
Setting up the First Toddle as a crawl through tent encourages crawling, tummy and floor time for children with low muscle tone.
First Toddle is visually stimulating and attracts children’s attention.
First Toddle offers open-ended play which is a critical aspect of play.
First Toddle includes accessories that enhance the novelty and increase the age range.
Skills
Cause and effect can be developed when the ball is thrown in the hoop because the ball does not fall out of the hoop. This gives the child time to process his accomplishment.
Using the included accessories, caregivers can help a child recognize different shapes such as oval (football) and circle (ball).
Turn taking skills can be built as a caregiver and child play hockey, basketball or soccer.
First Toddle induces problem solving as children learn how to navigate and use the various parts of the gym.
Play Ideas
Use this play time to teach concepts such as in/out and under/over.
Hang letters from the cloth straps, discuss the letters and find objects in the room that start with that letter.
Set up the First Toddle like a tent and “play” store. Take turns being the store keeper. Use this opportunity to teach the child about money and math.
Hang a sheet or blanket over the bars to make a tent. Follow the child’s lead and see how he plays in the tent and then join him.
Count how many steps or jumps it takes to get from one end of the parallel bars to another.
When First Toddle is set up like a soccer goal or basketball court, a caregiver can start teaching the child social skills such as taking turns, staying back when shooting the basketball, and good sportsmanship.
Have the child put on a puppet show because pretend play stimulates language in children.
Follow the children’s lead in play and be careful not to “adulterate” their play.
Adaptation Ideas
If the child has difficulty understanding how to use the First Toddle and all of its accessories, model for them. Demonstrate how to walk across the bars, throw the ball in the hoop, etc. First Toddle’s website also has great video clips of children using the toy which you can show the child at http://firsttoddle.com/.
Provide rewards and motivating items to encourage child to walk between the parallel bars and/or move through the First Toddle.
