85 Days til Christmas!!!

I know not many of us are thinking about Christmas right now, but for those who are, I decided to do a post with a list of toys that will target different developmental skills.  Sometimes it's hard to decide what to get a child with a delay or disability.  If you can get them something they will enjoy that will also help strengthen skills they need to work on - that would be great!!!  It's even better if the gift comes from someone else, so be sure to share some of these ideas with grandparents, friends, etc.

Toys that help with fine motor skills


Large Farm Jumbo Knob Puzzle by Melissa & Doug (Bonus: encourage sounds to go with the puzzle - animal sounds, etc.) 

Little Hands Twist and Drill by Alex (If your child's hands are too small or if they have a difficult time grasping, use hand over hand to help hold the drill.  They will be rewarded for their hard work because you can "build" 4 cars with the set.)
Imagnarium 5 Way Giant Bead Maze Cube by Imaginarium (Grasping, reaching, sitting, problem solving, attending)
LEGO Duplo Large Brick Box by LEGO

Cutting Fruit Crate by Melissa & Doug

Play Doh Duffel Bag by Hasbro (Actually, any kind of play dough is great for fine motor development)
Sesame Street Play Doh Color Mixer (Has a crank handle and buttons for different skill development)

Pop Haulers by Little Tikes

Deluxe Latches Board by Melissa & Doug (Some of the latches are difficult and need two hands to operate, but once the latch is open, the door reveals animals and colors - for language development)

Mix 'N Max Stack Me Up by Alex Jr.  (Reinforces with textures, patterns and colors)

Mix 'N Max Cuddly Cube by Alex Jr.  (For the little ones - a colorful, squishy cube with a mirror, handle and parts for chewing)

Toys that help teach cause and effect

Topzy Tumblers Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park by Fisher Price (An action packed toy with a ferris wheel that lights up and spins; figurines you can roll down a slike that back up a series of steps; music and sounds)

Little People Wheelies Zig the Big Rig by Fisher Price (A talking truck with 50 sounds and phrases, side gate releases with a big button, comes with one Wheelies mini vehicle to load into the truck)

Vehicles Sound Blocks by Melissa & Doug (Wooden blocks that make six different vehicle sounds when the pictures match up)

Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo by Fisher Price (An interactive play set.  When you place an animal in the right play, you hear it's name.  Press it again and you hear it's sound.  Also has a peek-a-boo door, slide and teeter-totter to explore.  Includes Discovering ZooTalkers DVD and stickers to decorate the toy.)

Toys that help with gross motor skills

Shopping Cart by Little Tikes (You can weigh it down with cans when your child is learning to walk.  You can also place items up high and down low so your child can work on balance and reach)

Sizzle 'n Pop Kitchen by Little Tikes (A play kitchen with sounds.  A great toy to encourage standing for longer periods of time.)

Toys and Activities that help with learning and speech

Peek-a-Shoe Talking Octopus by LeapFrog (Drop in a ball and lift one of the shoes to find it)

                                           
 Talking Tubes by Alex (Shaped like an old style phone allows the child to hear themselves talk - You can also get an accordian tube in the automotive section of Walmart and shape it yourself)

Signing Time Videos by Two Little Hands (There is a lot of verbal repetition of the words)

Anything that you can talk about and make sounds with during play.  The best toys for language development do not have batteries.  They require the child and playmate (parents) to create the sounds and the communication.


I hope this gets your Christmas brain thinking and not stressing.  Several of these items can be found at DI, Kid to Kid or at garage sales.  Remember, the most important toy for your child's development is you.