Does Your Toddler Need Special Toys?

Every toddler is different and special. They all need to be cared for and get plenty of attention. However, some toddler tantrums are beyond any parents’ imagination. Some toddlers have more needs than others. Different reasons can be related to their health, physical needs, or even emotional and mental requirements. Sometimes seeking answers to questions asked by our child’s doctor or our own friends such as- “Does your toddler need special toys?” can help us conclude a few things our heart doesn’t want to accept?

The first four years are very important for children’s development. Many new parents struggle with knowing whether their toddler has special needs or not.

The purpose of special toys?

The toys are used by parents for toddlers who have unique needs. The development patterns are similar but not the same for every child. Some children might experience more difficult to adapt and learn. They might have different physical, emotional, or mental needs from the rest of the babies. In these cases, many doctors and social workers advise parents to use special toys.

Recognize if your toddler has special needs:

It is good to buy special toys as gifts for your toddler as they help in the general development of boys and girls. However, firstly evaluate whether he needs them or not, just to be sure. To figure it out you need to be cautious of his development.

According to the Children’s Inclusive Care Council’s 2005 report, some parts of the child’s development to be cautious for:

• Communicating
• Movement
• Interaction with toys
• General Behavior

1. Vision

There are particular ways to know if your toddler has special needs in any of the above. Some of the signs that your child might have problems with vision are:

• Blinks very often
• Rubs his eyes once in a while even if it is not sleeping time
• Avoids activities that are distance or near vision

Most of the toys for toddlers can be used as special ones to help improve vision. You can use bright balls, teddy bears, or rubber ducks and play hide and seek.

2. Hearing

Your toddler might have trouble hearing if he:

• Does not react to sounds even after 6 months
• Does not recognize your voice even after 3 months
• Cannot imitate sounds even after 12 months

To help your child improve his hearing you should get different noisy toys. Such toys can be instruments, building blocks, toys that speak, or sing.

3. Thinking

Some babies experience cognitive problems which can lead to disorders such as ADHD. You can find out if your child is having trouble if he:

• Does not react to things that he is (not) interested in
• Has it difficult to play
• Does not engage in social activities
• Does not imitate what he sees around
• Does not recognize faces or places

Some of the toys that will help your child’s cognitive development are puzzles, building blocks, and coloring.

4. Communication

Your toddler might be experiencing language delay if:

• They have not said their first word by 12 months.
• Does not babble.
• Does not point at things when they hear the word by 18 months.
• Cannot make sense of the words even by 25 months.
• Does not interact with other children.

Many people advise using toys that are meant to learn the alphabet or numbers. However, those toys are better for children who do not have a language delay. You need your child to learn simple words and differentiate objects. Thus use simple wooden toys, cars, or animals. Use Legos or building bricks.

Your child will need special toys if he is experiencing problems with vision, hearing, thinking, and communication. Difficulties in any of them make your boy or girl a child with special needs. If you are using such kinds of toys make sure you play with them. Toddlers develop faster and better if they are interacting.