Archives for posts with tag: Edushape

Back-to-school is a challenging time for all children. But children with special needs, especially those with non-verbal Autism may find it even more difficult to process all the feelings that come with this time of the year. They may feel anxious, over-excited or overwhelmed. And it would help to be able to communicate with their teachers or parents.

That’s why we brought this new Feelings Friend into our store, a stuffed animal who teaches facial vocabulary. At Special Needs Essentials, we sincerely want to help children communicate easily with special ed teachers and parents to get the best possible education!

Feelings FriendIt holds a bag with different shapes of eyebrow and mouths to velcro on its face. It also comes with a set of illustrated cards that explain each feeling. And… it is soft. Designed and developed in collaboration with child psychologists, this toy is a unique and powerful way to express feelings when the words just aren’t there!

Here is what Marie F. says: We love this cute little buddy! I ordered this for my Pre-Kindergarten class. We needed a friend that we could help through the trials and tribulations of being 4 and 5. The children chose the name Lucy for her and now she is officially a member of our class. The children even take turns tucking her in for naptime. A few of the children’s winter holiday lists ended up with “A Lucy Doll” on them. 🙂 This toy is well made and just the right size. Thank You!

F emotions friend - Special Needs Essentials

Edushape Feelings Friend Feeling Friends

As a reminder, all education supplies are on sale this month at Special Needs Essentials. Just shop in this section of the site before August 31 to get your 10% discount.

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These favorite OT tools are fun and affordable! Plus, their endless use possibilities make them the perfect gift for kids of all ages and abilities.

10 ways to use sensory balls

  1. Use them as stress balls3219_2

Squish and squeeze them to feel a unique hand massage. Some of them even have additional features such as spikes or strands that multiply sensory possibilities.

> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Tactile input, Stress relief

 

  1. Play “Basketball”slomo balls

Toss them into the air to reach a target. Make it a competition and count points if you wish or let your child go their own path!

> Promotes: Gross motor skills, Concentration, Hand eye coordination

 

  1. Carnival Game

__1004527_previewBuild a simple board using cardboard or plastic cups, making openings of various sizes and scores. Ask your child to reach certain openings and make them count their own scores for an added math practice!

> Promotes: Hand eye coordination, Logic skills

 

  1. Group Playendushape balls 2

Throw a ball into the air and have playmates catch it for hours of fun.

> Promotes: Socialization, Gross motor skills, Hand eye coordination

 

  1. Group Play, Upside down

Same as above except you all lie down and pass it along with your feet!

> Promotes: Socialization, Balance

 

  1. Paint!

Use sensory balls as brushes to create an original painting activity with your child.56437_2

> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Creativity

 

  1. Decorate them

Give your child WASHABLE markers and ask them to decorate a ball as they wish, then wash it off and repeat indefinitely.

> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Creativity

 

  1. Use them as massagers

oddballsRoll sensory balls under your feet or on your back for a calming sensation!

> Promotes: Tactile input, Stress relief

 

  1. Play the equilibrist

Simply try to let a ball hold on your head, back or knee as long as possible or do this while walking along a path.

> Promotes: Balance

 

  1. Cup Crash

7809_1Build a pyramid with plastic cups and try to crash as many as possible at once!

> Promotes: Gross motor skills, Stress relief

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