Toys From Teachers: A Gift Giving Guide
With the giving season in full swing and several holidays coming up, many people begin their search for gifts for loved ones. Finding the right gift for someone can already be a bit stressful, but when looking for a gift for a child with a visual impairment, there can often be a few more obstacles to jump through and questions to ask.
Because the needs of visually impaired children aren’t commonly thought of when making toys, it can be hard to find the perfect gift. Nevertheless, CCVI is here to make your search for toys easier! Below are a few Do’s & Don’ts of gift giving along with some of our favorite gift recommendations from our very own staff!
Gifting Do’s & what to look for:
Items with high contrast
Light up toys
Objects that create motion
Items that encourage independence (can the child play with this without assistance or limited assistance?)
High sensory feedback (textures, smells, sounds, etc.)
Concept based toys (ex. Cause & Effect toys)
Literacy items
Gifting Don’ts & what to avoid:
Toys & items with lots of clutter
This can be distracting and hard for a child to focus on. Ex. toys with lots of different patterns, shapes, and colors.
Constricting clothes
Items with small complex pieces
Overly complex toys (toys that may overwhelm your child. Use your best judgement)
Now that you know what to look for and what to avoid while searching for gifts, you can confidently shop without stress & worry. If you’re still needing some inspiration or recommendations, just ask our teachers and therapists! Below is a list of some of our favorite toys and gift recommendations you can look for!
Books from Seedlings Braille Books for Children
These books come in a wide variety including print & braille, contracted & uncontracted braille, along with touch and feel books with braille. You can find your perfect Seedlings book using the link above.
Inclusive dolls like Blind Barbie or Barbie Chelsea Wheelchair
Representation matter, especially for kids who may not know many people with similar conditions. Inclusive dolls such as these help kids feel seen and represented while also exposing and educating typically developing children.
Light up toys like Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar
This multi-sensory toy is perfect for young children and is great for cause-and-effect learning, visual efficiency skills, scanning, and can help capture your child’s visual attention.
Concept Based toys like Running Water Play Sink
This toy is perfect for adaptive handwashing and realistic pretend play!
Mindful movement with the Little Yogi Deck
These fun and simple yoga cards are great for both younger and older kids and are for kids of all abilities. The activities on the cards aim to help kids learn about their bodies and emotions, as well as practice breathing and moving skills!
For more toy inspiration check out this Gift Guide from our teachers and therapists!