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Playing Choo Choo with Double Decker Dominoes!
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
If your child with special needs is between the cognitive ages of 18 months and four years, try making "Choo-Choo trains" with the Double Decker Dominoes. Place all dominoes face up near to the child. Start the train with one block, call it the "engine." Match another block to the back pattern of the engine block. Together, you can take turns matching the correct shape to the back of the train. When the train is long enough, let the child push the train off of the table into a basket. A great way to develop sensory processing skills!
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PLAY Tip
Sound Puzzle Box Ideal For Children With Down Syndrome and Other Special Needs
Shape sorters present a special challenge for a cognitively young child or a blind child. Here are some time-tested techniques for teaching shape fitting and matching.
Start playing by dumping the pieces out of the Sound Puzzle Box. Place the pieces in upside down so that they 'squeak' on the way out. Beginning with dumping builds the initial recognition of the objects 'belonging' inside the box, initial grasping skills, and cause and effect .
Next, cover all holes but the circle. Show the child how to put the circle piece in to the circle hole. When the circle is mastered, use the other shapes. Next offer two holes and shapes, then three.
This technique lets children choose from a manageable number of possibilities.
This toy does not require sight, and the pieces are a good size for most children.