Unlocking the Power of Play: 5 Beneficial Toys for Children Aged 0-10 Years

‘Tis the season of shopping! During all the hustle and bustle, MetroEHS wanted to offer a few tips for how to shop smart for your little superhero! At MetroEHS, we know that play is a crucial aspect of a child’s development. This means choosing the right toys can significantly impact a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. During this season of giving, we thought we could explore five suggestions for beneficial toys that cater to the developmental needs of children, as well as share our Amazon Shopping Idea list that was created by some of our amazing and knowledgeable MetroEHS therapists.

Sensory Toys and Building Blocks for Littles (0-2 years):

In the early stages of life, infants rely heavily on their senses to understand the world and face-to-face time during play time is paramount. Through engaging directly with beloved caregivers and family members by singing simple songs, reading nursery rhymes, and playing silly fingerplays like peekaboo, little ones learn to enjoy level appropriate toys as well as time with caregivers.

Sensory toys with high contrast patterns are the most engaging selection for children aged 0-2 years. This includes toys with different textures and sounds and toys that allow for simple problem solving.  Aim for easy to grasp toys that target multiple senses for the sensorimotor stage of play in order to promote motor skill development and learning.  Ensure toys are free from small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Be sure to engage with your child by narrating what they are feeling and doing with the toy with simple language (e.g., “Big ball!” if playing with a ball). soft, cold, bumpy, hard, etc.).

Children are natural builders and playing with building blocks can enhance their motor skills, spatial awareness, and creativity. Choose colorful blocks that are easy for small hands to manipulate. Building activities also promote problem-solving, social skills, and cognitive development as children experiment with different arrangements and structures. Engage with your child by verbalizing and encouraging them to “put on”, “knock down”, “kick over”, “put in”, “take out”, or use narration of colors and counting to practice those ever-important verbal skills. Make playtime learning time!

-Pretend Play for Toddlers (2-4 years): Preschoolers love to pretend and role play. Toys that simulate real life tasks (cooking, tools, costumes) are great for cognition and development of the imagination. They also foster independence, social and emotional skills, overall language, and critical thinking.

-Games for Early School-Aged Kids (4-6 years): Board games tailored for young children offer a fun way to introduce early learning concepts such as counting, color recognition, and basic literacy. Games like “Memory” or “Chutes and Ladders” encourage social interaction, turn-taking, and strategic thinking. Games like “Sneaky Squirrel” and “Twister” can foster fine and gross motor skills. Ensure the games are age-appropriate and encourage cooperative play, fostering important social skills.

-STEM Toys for School-Aged Children (6-10 years): As children progress through the school years, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) toys can play a vital role in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Look for age-appropriate science kits, robotics, or construction sets that engage children in hands-on learning experiences. These toys not only make learning fun but also prepare children for the challenges of a technology-driven future. Consider games like Headbandz, which can allow your child an opportunity to practice vocabulary skills. Card games are a great time to play with your child in which your child can think strategically, for instance Uno, Phase 10, and Old Maid, can be fun for early school age children.

-Art and Craft Supplies for Creative Expression (All Ages): Foster your child’s creativity with art and craft supplies. From coloring books and crayons for younger children to more advanced crafting materials for older kids, these activities help enhance fine motor skills, self-expression, and imaginative thinking. Consider providing a designated space for art projects, allowing children to explore their creativity in a supportive environment.

Choosing the right toys for children aged 0-10 years involves considering their developmental stage and providing opportunities for growth through play. Soft, sensory toys, building blocks, educational board games, STEM toys, and art supplies can all contribute to a well-rounded and enriching playtime experience. By selecting toys that align with a child’s developmental needs, parents and caregivers can actively support their journey of learning and discovery. Parents are a child’s first play partner. The importance of a parent engaging in play with their child cannot be minimized! Enjoy this special time with your child and make playtime beneficial for both of you.

Experienced MetroEHS Clinicians pulled together a great shopping list which includes some of the toys discussed in this blog. You can find that list here.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GKR4U81VUFCE?ref_=wl_share

Are you concerned about your child’s toe walking habits? Toe walking, a common concern for parents, can sometimes be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the connection between toe walking and autism is crucial for early intervention and support.

What is Toe Walking?

Toe walking refers to a walking pattern where a person walks on their toes or the balls of their feet without their heels touching the ground. While occasional toe walking in toddlers is common, persistent toe walking beyond the age of two may indicate an underlying issue.

The Connection with Autism

Toe walking is often observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While not all toe walkers have autism, studies suggest that many children with ASD exhibit toe walking behavior. Children with Autism often have higher sensory seeking behaviors, and being up on their toes gives them deep sensory input through their feet and in their contracted calf muscles. This connection can lead to more targeted interventions and support from therapists and parents.

How Can a MetroEHS Physical Therapist Help?

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in addressing toe walking in children, especially those with autism. A skilled physical therapist can:

• ‍Assess the Underlying Causes: A physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to identify any underlying factors contributing to toe walking, such as muscle tightness, sensory issues, muscle weakness, or lack of range of motion.‍
• Develop Individualized Treatment Plans: Based on the assessment, the physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. This plan may include stretching exercises, strengthening activities, balance training, or different sensory inputs.‍
• Educate and Empower Families: MetroEHS Physical Therapists work closely with families to educate them about toe walking and provide strategies for home exercises and activities to support their child’s progress.

Toe-walking can impact your child long-term if left untreated:

Toe walking will impact your child’s overall body positioning, posture, and muscles. With toe walking, because of these impacts, it will also change the load of the body’s joints and likely cause chronic pain as the individual ages. It is common for toe walkers to lose range of motion in their ankles, preventing them from being able to reach their heels to the ground and causing their Achilles tendon to shorten. In more severe cases, if the Achilles tendon shortens too much, the only way to regain that length is with a surgical lengthening.

Take the First Step Towards Support

If you’re concerned about your child’s toe walking or suspect they may have autism, early intervention is key. Schedule an evaluation with a qualified physical therapist who specializes in pediatric care. Together, we can help your child take confident steps towards improved mobility and independence.

History of TheraSuit

Richard and Izabela Koscielny are physical therapists, who have a daughter diagnosed with cerebral palsy and tried out suit therapy with her. After significant improvements with the suit, they modified and created their own suit specialized for therapeutic benefits, called TheraSuit™.

How Does TheraSuit Work?

• TheraSuit worn over a prolonged time will correct proprioception and accelerate progress with functional strengthening
• Skills practiced become more fluent when TheraSuit is worn
• TheraSuit facilitates the development of new gross and fine motor skills faster than typical therapy approaches

Benefits Seen with TheraSuit

• Retraining the central nervous system
• Restores ontogenetic development
• Provides external stabilization
• Normalizes muscle tone
• Aligns the body to as close to “normal” as possible
• Provides dynamic correction
• Normalizes gait patterns
• Provides tactile stimulation
• Influences the vestibular system
• Improves balance
• Improves coordination
• Supports weak muscles
• Decreases uncontrolled movements in ataxia and athetosis
• Improves body and spatial awareness
• Provides resistance to muscles to further enhance strengthening
• Improves speech production and fluency through head control and trunk support
• Promotes gross and fine motor development
• Helps decrease contractures
• Helps improve hip alignment through vertical loading

Patient Populations

• Most major neurological diseases/diagnoses:
  
  • Autism
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cerebral Vascular Acciden
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury

• Posture/alignment asymmetries

Intensive Physical Therapy Schedule

• Intensive physical therapy is meant to be done 3 hours/day, for 5 days/week for 3-5 weeks
• Recommended to complete 3-4 intensive bouts of therapy throughout the year
• Breaks between the bouts have been shown to be more beneficial for the patient vs continuously pushing for months on end
• Recommended to complete HEP 1-hour/day to compliment exercises done in intensive, allowing the patient to not only maintain, but improve their functional abilities
• The schedule of 4  weeks was created specifically in order to change the neuro-pathways, and allow for increased improvements

In General

• Week 1 works on correct muscle activation and beginning to complete basic concentric exercises
• Week 2 works on solidifying concentric movements and working into eccentric movements
• Week 3 solidifies the eccentric movements and introduces isometric holds
• Week 4 focuses all on isometric holds, working into more complex exercises, as well as creating POC and HEP for time off between bouts of intensive

Work to decrease primitive reflexes and general movements that are present → goal-directed movements → selective effective strategies → refining skills → maintaining through practice