Handmade support item ideas to help children with developmental disabilities feel calm
Children with developmental disabilities each have their own unique personalities.
For example, some may have difficulty staying focused, or be sensitive to sensory input.
Here, we introduce ideas for materials and toys that are actually used in therapeutic settings.
Many are cute in appearance and pique children’s interest.
Please enjoy the process of making them while using these handmade support items to spend fun time with the children.
Give making fun, homemade toys a try to support your child’s growth!
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Handmade Support Item Ideas (1–10) That Help Calm Children with Developmental Disabilities
blowing toy
When it comes to toys that children blow into, there are many, like soap bubbles and toy trumpets.
While having fun, they can strengthen the muscles around the mouth and learn to control their breathing, which in turn supports language development and improves speaking skills.
Blowing also stimulates the senses and helps cultivate concentration and a cooperative attitude.
Making sounds with toys together with friends fosters social skills through play.
Since kids can develop various abilities while enjoying themselves, consider incorporating handmade blow instruments and similar toys according to your child’s developmental stage!
Everyone’s favorite music play
How about an idea where children play musical games to original music using existing instruments or homemade ones? As they freely make sounds with bells, maracas, drums, and more, smiles naturally appear as they get into the rhythm.
It’s okay even if you’re not confident with music! It’s a time when each child can be the star.
It also nurtures expressive and communication skills.
Adults can enjoy it together as a program too.
It’s easy to incorporate and will make daily activities even more fun, so be sure to try it with the children.
Button play with colorful buttons
Button play is very effective for helping children practice using their fingers and energizing their brains.
By fastening and unfastening buttons, they develop fine motor skills.
Using both hands also teaches them how to coordinate and differentiate between the strength of the right and left hands.
Focusing on the activity may improve their concentration and stamina.
Choose button colors that match your child’s developmental stage and interests, and try making an original, handmade puzzle with a bit of creativity.
Enjoy it together with the children!
Kids with developmental disabilities can feel calm! DIY support item ideas (11–20)
Strikeout
A fun “struck-out” game that helps kids develop both physical movement and thinking skills.
It lets them practice judging distance to the target and supports physical development.
Another advantage is that, through “struck-out,” they can enjoyably improve motor skills and cognitive functions.
Playing with friends or adults also cultivates teamwork and a spirit of helping one another.
You can make a “struck-out” set using familiar materials, so try crafting one by hand to suit your children’s developmental stage!
Tangram
Tangrams are a fun and helpful tool for children’s development.
A “tangram” is like a puzzle where you combine several shapes to make new ones.
It nurtures the ability to recognize shapes, think in space, and use imagination.
As children create various figures, they use their hands while playing, which boosts concentration and helps calm the mind.
The charm of tangrams is that kids can develop many skills while having fun.
Try making your own homemade tangram and enjoy creating different shapes together with your child!
Handmade zipper teaching materials
@user8492253312849 Independent Project Production Log 24: ZipperTranslationHandmade teaching materialsSpecial Needs Education#AutismNeurodevelopmental disorderAfter-school day serviceTokachi
3:03 PM – Sharou
In therapy for child development, zippers are commonly used.
The zipper activity mainly aims to improve hand use.
It also supports children’s focus and their ability to do things on their own.
Especially for children with developmental disabilities, the motion of opening and closing a zipper is an important practice.
By repeating this motion, they become more aware of fine hand movements and gain more successful experiences.
This kind of practice is useful in daily life, too.
Here, we introduce a handmade zipper toy to make practicing with zippers more enjoyable.
Please have fun trying it together, tailored to your child’s developmental stage!
plastic bottle maracas
@welbe.co.jp Simple Craft Series: Plastic Bottle Maracas#NeurodevelopmentalDisordersParenting# developmental support (ryōiku)Habi
Good music – neguse.
Maracas are well-known instruments, but they actually help children learn while enjoying music.
In addition to improving their sense of rhythm and motor skills, exposure to music nurtures sensitivity and creativity.
Moreover, using instruments together enhances cooperation with peers and expressive abilities.
Through enjoyable moments, children’s hearts and minds grow richer.
Please value how music fosters growth of both mind and body.
Handmade maracas can be made from a variety of materials, so be sure to spend fun musical time with children using your own homemade maracas.