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Textured cloth toy box cube with an “X” slit on one side that contains eight soft sculpted objects for simple in-out play and exploration.
Approx. Price: 21.00-40.00 Box Age Range: 0+ yr # of Pieces: 6-10 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Self Storing Directions: None Play Locations: Indoor Adjustability: Levels of Play: One Level Batteries: None needed
Description
The box and objects have different textures to feel for added tactile stimulation during play.
This toy is visually and tactilely stimulating.
There is no set time limit. Children can take the time necessary to process the information and play at their own pace.
The play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
Several petals of the lion’s mane and the sails of the boat have a crinkle sound incorporated in them to promote auditory awareness and interest.
The toy’s self-storing feature promotes children’s abilities to organize materials before and after use. This will allow a child with visual impairments to have objects readily available and in a known location.
Skills
Simple positional concepts can be taught as children place objects in or take them out of the box or when they place objects on the box. This makes the concepts more concrete to understand.
Children can work on tactile identification as they determine what each object is by touch.
Use the objects to practice eye tracking. Have the caregiver slowly move one object from one side to the other of a child with a visual impairment and have that child follow the object with his eyes.
Play Ideas
Play a guessing game. Have the child reach in and guess what object they grabbed before they take it out and look at it.
Adaptation Ideas
Play with this set on a dark surface to heighten the visual contrast with the objects.
For children who are easily over-stimulated, reduce the number of objects you present. Gradually increase the number as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Description
The toy’s compact size helps keep items within easy reach.
The pace of play is adjustable, allowing time for visual processing and motor planning.
The play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
The What’s Inside? Toy Box is a good size to play on the floor, tabletop or wheelchair tray.
The box and objects are soft sculpted and will not startle a child if dropped. Many children with physical limitations have heightened startle reflexes.
Skills
Reaching in the box and retrieving objects can help children with arm extension and muscle movement. This can help children with range of motion for their bodies and lessen muscle contraction.
Whole hand grasp is used as children grab individual objects. The soft sculpted objects conform easily in a child’s hand and help with successful grasping.
Hand transferring can take place as a child explores and plays with the individual objects.
Pincer grasp (grasp using thumb and forefinger) can be used to hold/feel the lion’s mane, the wings of the butterfly and the ribbons on the box as well as the individual objects.
Simple positional concepts can be taught as children place objects in or take them out of the box or when they place objects on the box. This makes the concepts more concrete to understand.
Play Ideas
Play catch using either the objects or the box. The box may be easier to start with because it is a larger target to see and catch.
Midline play can begin with this because it is large. Additionally, because the box is square, it will not roll out of reach of a child like a ball would. The objects are small and would require more control and refined midline play to catch.
To encourage eye-hand coordination, grasp and appropriate timed release, have the child toss the objects individually into a large laundry basket. The laundry basket has a large opening and increases successful play. Gradually replace the laundry basket with smaller baskets, buckets or plastic bowls to help a child hone precision skills.
Siblings or other children can hide the objects around the room and have the child can look for it. Once a piece is found it can be placed in the Toy Box.
Adaptation Ideas
For children who are easily over-stimulated, reduce the number of objects you present. Gradually increase the number as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
For children who have difficulty reaching or arm weakness, use the objects without the Toy Box
Description
Imaginative play creates opportunities to express and process experiences from real life.
The play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
The open ended aspect of this toy encourages imaginary play, which in turn may encourage verbalization.
Skills
Counting skills are targeted as children count the eight pieces when placing them in or taking them out of the box.
Object recognition and identification can take place as they learn the eight objects: boat, house, octopus, sun, lion, rocket ship, dog and monkey.
Color recognition and identification can naturally become a part of play as children identify the various colors on the box and objects.
Simple positional concepts can be taught as children place objects in or take them out of the box or when they place objects on the box. This makes the concepts more concrete to understand.
Memory and recall are used as children determine what the objects are once they are hidden in the box.
Children will gain problem solving skills as they attempt to place the objects into the box and then figure out how to retrieve it.
Play Ideas
Tell a story using the pieces as the subjects. Have one child start the story using one object and saying one sentence. Have the next child continue the story and incorporate one more object and so on until all children and/or all objects are used.
The What’s Inside? Toy Box can be used as a prop for pretend play. Pretend the box is a mailbox and place caregivers “junk mail” in the slot. Pretend it is a house where the objects live; a bank and the pieces are money to deposit; a recycling bin and the pieces are recyclables; the box is a toy box for a child’s doll and the objects are the doll’s toys etc.
Write the name of each object on a separate piece of paper. Show the child one name and have him retrieve that object. Continue until all words and objects are matched up.
Adaptation Ideas
For children who are easily over-stimulated, reduce the number of objects you present. Gradually increase the number as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Description
This toy offers opportunities for open-ended play.
The toy is suitable for differing levels of interest, i.e. solitary or group play, manipulative or imaginative play, play for shorter or longer periods of time
The play with this toy does not have a specific duration, enabling children to play at their own pace and as their attention spans permit.
The toy’s self-storing feature promotes children’s abilities to organize materials before and after use.
Skills
Counting skills are targeted as children count the eight pieces when placing them in or taking them out of the box.
Object recognition and identification can take place as they learn the eight objects: boat, house, octopus, sun, lion, rocket ship, dog and monkey.
Color recognition and identification can naturally become a part of play as children identify the various colors on the box and objects.
Simple positional concepts can be taught as children place objects in or take them out of the box or when they place objects on the box. This makes the concepts more concrete to understand.
Memory and recall are used as children determine what the objects are once they are hidden in the box.
Children will gain problem solving skills as they attempt to place the objects into the box and then figure out how to retrieve it.
Play Ideas
Place other items in the What’s Inside? Toy Box, such as magnetic letters or small toys to identify by touch.
Place all eight objects in a row and have the child study them. Then take one away when her eyes are closed. Have the child identify the missing object. This can be played using only two shapes and slowly introduce more to play as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Adaptation Ideas
For children who are easily over-stimulated, reduce the number of objects you present. Gradually increase the number as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Furniture Friendly
Portable
Familiar Objects/Pictures
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Inviting/Whimsical Characters
Easy to Store
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
Visually Stimulating
Tactilely Stimulating
High Contrasting Colors
Durable
Lightweight
Simple
Developmental processes promoted
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Imagination/Pretend Play
Reaching/Arm Extension
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Eye-Hand Coordination
Fine Motor
Hand and Finger Grasp
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
