Superheroes come in all shapes, sizes and species these days. Marvel, the Spider Verse, Paw Patrol, Super Kitties, the list goes on and on. It's really simple, the superhero rescues the good guys or stops the bad guys. Think about how empowering it feels for a child who struggles to impact their world to take on the role of superhero. Let your child's interests and your creativity lead the way. Don't get hung up on reality, superheroes are all about fantasy. Captain America can definitely rescue the Paw Patrol pups and nobody said that Spiderman can't cross the Spider Verse to defeat Darth Vader. You and your child can make the world a better place! Use wheels or levers to make moving easier. Here the child pushes the firetruck over to the burning building so Chase and Zuma can rescue Rubble. Rubble is saved when the truck knocks the building over so he can get down or the ladder is swung around so Chase can help (knock) him down. I love the bath finger puppets because they are so easy to grasp. They can go on top of things like the ladder. They can squish into the holes of an o-ball car. There are so many different characters including PJ Masks, Spiderman, Marvel, Paw Patrol in the bath finger puppets.
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Dinosaurs with long tails can be easy to hold and move. Here are some ideas for playing with dinosaurs on a wheelchair tray or table.
There are lots of easy ways to play with baby dolls. A pumpkin seat helps hold the baby still. Feed the baby- Find an easy to hold bottle with handles or attach your own handle (see Get A Grip blog). Find a spoon your child can grip or use an EazyHold grip or other cuff. Let your child try to target the baby's mouth. Wash the baby- Use a wet or dry washcloth for your child to rub on the baby. Try a wet mitten or bath mitt if they can't hold onto the cloth. Water and bubbles in a shallow container is fun on a warm day. Rock the baby- In the pumpkin seat or a baby swing your child can push just a little to get some movement. Make sure you make baby snoring sounds when the child has rocked the baby enough. Burp the baby- Have the child pat the baby's tummy or back. Burp sound effects will make the efforts worthwhile. When I have young patients who are starting to show interest in pretend play, I always send them home with a dump truck. I have a hard time leaving one unpurchased at the thrift store. So, dump trucks seemed the natural start for a discussion of adapted play. So many big play possibilities with just a little movement! Dump trucks can be pushed in a variety of positions, sitting, side lying, standing. A little push can send the truck to Grandma's house or Old MacDonald's farm. If a little hand can reach the truck bed, the dumping out is easy. Any type of dump truck will do but these plastic Fisher Price trucks don't have sharp edges and have music or sound effects when dumped out or when the driver is pushed down. I usually glue the little people into the truck so they become a button to push to play the sound. My favorites are the older ones where the driver is easy to reach. The thrift store is not just less expensive, it offers a chance at discontinued toys. No matter which truck you find, remember your imagination will help your child's imagination grow!
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I am an occupational therapist with over 30 years of pediatric experience. I currently work predominantly with children who have cerebral palsy and other neuromotor difficulties. I love to help children who have the most challenging bodies participate in their world, especially through play. I scour local thrift stores to find toys that provide a lot of fun without a lot of hand skills or can be easily (and cheaply) modified for that purpose. Archives
November 2023
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