Toys and Tips from the Experts!

Before I launch my MUST HAVE GIFT LIST for this season, I decided to  sit down with the experts from Kids Under One Roof  to give you some amazing ideas for children’s gifts this holiday season. Kids Under One Roof is a pediatric center specializing in evaluations and therapy for the preschool and school-age child. They are made up of 5 different groups: Suburban Speech (speech and language screening), BehaviorWise (behavioral consultation with strategies) , Livingston Educational Center (learning consultation and educational plan), Sensational Therapies (occupational therapy screening) and Psychological Services (psychological consultation and intervention plan). I thought it would pretty fascinating to hear from each one of them and gain some insight into what they would suggest for the holidays this season.

Amy Feldman, director of Sensational Therapies (OT), recommended these 3 great gifts:

1) The Kidoozie Pogo Bouncer which is great fun and develops motor skills in an exciting and challenging way!

2) Magformers Truck Toy – This toy helps to develop fine motor skills, planning and problem solving as well as creative play. It is virtually indestructible and can be played with kids ages 4 and up (although it says 8 and up)

3) Hippie Stick  – Awesome toy that is inexpensive, habit-forming and fun to look at. It can help develop cooperative hand use when played with both hands and pencil grasp when the stick is rolled between the thumb, index and middle fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

All three toys can be found at the Child’s Play Spot in the Short Hills Mall or on Amazon.

 

Jaime Lehrhoff, founder and director of the Livingston Education Center, recommended the following top 3 toys for learning and education:

1) Leapfrog Letter Factory Phonics from Barnes and Nobles Ages 2 and up:

 

2) Read to Me Puzzle Pairs available at the Children’s Play Spot or Amazon

 

 

3) Boogie Boards for writing, note taking, problem-solving, etc. Available at Learning Express or Amazon.

 

Nancy Polow, founder and director of Suburban Speech, suggests making holiday time a wonderful opportunity to encourage communication skills through toys and play. Nancy stated that when you are shopping for holiday gifts, consider Lo-Tech toys to elicit speech-language skills. For example Board Games such as Hi Ho Cheery O and Candy Land develop turn-taking and vocabulary skills. These traditional games encourage following directions, naming colors, recognizing numbers and sequencing skills.

 

Memory games, such as Memory Match, Go Fish and Old Maid are also amazing for to help foster matching and recall abilities.

 

Lastly, Nancy suggests helping your child to develop his or Listening Skills through games that involve movement such as Twister, Hullaballoo, Sandwich Stacking Game and Shopping Cart Dash. These games develop following directions skills. All games are available on Amazon.

 

Nancy’s best piece of advice was “Not only are you giving a fun holiday present, you are also giving your child your precious gift of time. You and your family will enjoy these games together.”

 

Caryn Mandel, founder and director of BehaviorWise, mentioned a few strategies to use with children during the holidays. In her words “We all have experienced frustration with our child when he/she chose to not follow directions, especially during the holiday season when he/she is not in their typical routine. I have found that one of the best strategies for giving a direction is to as your child, What did I just ask you do? Your child must repeat your original statement or direction. For example, you say, “Johnny, it is time to get in pajamas. What did I just ask you to do?” Johnny repeats, “It is time to get in pajamas.” When he complies, reward him with verbal praise (“Great job”, “love when you listen for the first time”) and/or a reward (extra book at bedtime, extra TV or computer time, etc). It is important to always be in the same room and at eye level when you speak with them or when giving them a direction.

Another strategy is to use a timer to transition your child from a preferred activity (playing or watching TV) to a non-preferred activity (getting dressed, brushing teeth). Tell your child, “I am setting the timer. When the timer rings it will be time to brush your teeth.” Set the timer for 5 minutes. After 4 minutes, provide a verbal warning, “You have 1 minute more and then it’s time to brush your teeth.” When the timer rings, tell them, “The timer rang,  please go brush your teeth.”

Games are IDEAL for holiday gifts and can reunite the family in a fun activity. Games include:

Charades, Pictionary, Scavenger  Hunt, Hide and Seek, Cards, Scattegories and Boggle. All games available on Amazon.

 

Lastly, Dr. Megan Brown, director and psychologist at Psychological Services has some incredible words of wisdom during the holiday.  Dr. Brown states “Holidays can be stressful and over stimulating for kids, especially those with Autism, ADHD, or anxiety.” Her tips for the holiday time would be:

1) Families should try to minimize “over stimulation” by trying to minimize the disruptions to normal routines and provide children with predictability. Schedules change because they are out of school, there are lots of parties, visitors, travel, etc. and it is important to provide children with a “roadmap” so they know what to expect and when. Start the week discussing what will happen, use a whiteboard so it is visually present for child, and maybe even break down the day’s schedule using a visual schedule so kids know what will happen and when. Continue to use positive behavior strategies to help children cope with changes and prepare for more hectic days.

2) Gifts. If you put gifts under the tree, try to limit them until Christmas Eve or morning and explain that children should wait to open them. You are teaching delayed gratification and also appreciation. Emphasize the importance of gratitude and help children show appreciation by saying thank you and writing thank you cards for gifts.

3) Playtime. Encourage children to share the toys/gifts they receive with siblings, cousins and/or friends. Teach them to take turns and use good social skills while having fun!

Toys that encourage imagination, creativity, and pretend play are the most beneficial for children’s overall development. Examples include blocks, play doh, legos, balls, stacking cups, costumes, etc. Each of these can be played with in different ways at each developmental level and encourage different skills.

 

I would like to personally  thank Kids Under One Roof for taking the time to sit down with me and get the word out on the best holiday gifts for children from the experts!  I hope these suggestions have helped some of you with your holiday shopping!! I know I have lots of board games on my list!

 

Kids Under One Roof, 748 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078. (973)436-4496