suggestions for play

suggestions for play

by: Jacqueline Harbinson - 14-02-06 21:17

I have a little boy who will be 3 in April (am a Childminder) and work with him on a one to one basis. Lately I have noticed that he is disinterested in the toys I have on offer so would like to introduce new things to him - anyone any suggestions. He loves balls of any sort. Whilst he does play with say the cars and garage very soon he develops the habit of throwing them from a height onto the floor - gets great pleasure from this but with another 17 month old in my setting feel need to curb this - bear in mind this 17 month old is present so cannot use things like playdough, paint or sand (at least don't think I can).

Jacqueline Harbinson

by: baby_girl

Why can't you use those things? In my nursery we use all those things with the babies, although obviously they have different outcomes than the older ones.
An idea for the older one is to use those things with the paints. Ball rolling or car rolling in the paint and then let him see the patterns as it prints on the paper.

suggestions for play - 20-04-06 21:23

by: Bea

I'm guessing the child you work with has special needs. Since he likes balls work with this interest you hopefully will be able to develop this further. Find lots of balls and have a basket of balls, choose soft ones if going to be thrown you'll be able to find lots at a cheap price eg. juggling balls, stress balls, pom poms etc. play lots of games with them e.g putting down ramps, down wrapping paper tubes, throw into basket...then you can extend to other toys eg. cars down tube. In my expereince children who like playing with balls like other toys with immediate response and lots of movement particularly spinning, circular or vertical movement e.g. spinning tops, balloons (blow up and let spin round room YOU MUST SUPERVISE CAREFULLY DUE CHOCKING HAZARD) blowing feathers, tomy ball spiral etc.
Hope it's been helpful.

suggestions for play - 21-04-06 12:50

by: joshuajones

Why can't you use sand, paint etc ? Your 17 month old will get enormous pleasure and a good educational time from exploring these mediums. Granted you may need more supervision to ensure he doesn' eat handfuls of it, but there is no reason why he shouldn't share these experiences.

suggestions for play - 07-05-06 21:56

by: Jacqueline Harbinson

Thank you all for your suggestions. This child is not special needs but just seems to have a general lack of interest in toys. He spends most of his afternoons after he has left me with the tv on - how I know this is because we might be sitting at snack in the morning when he would say "superman came into my room last night". Last Friday morning was interesting - I was playing with the other child (17 month old) and looked around to discover he had fallen asleep on the floor. I really need to get him challenged again. Have tried suggestion of paint and sand even with younger child present with lots of supervision - same response each time a few minutes and wanders off again. It is particularly noticeable at toddlers - he sits and stares at the other children while they play but never becomes involved. I am dreading him starting playgroup in September and would love to get him really finding pleasure in toys once again - I think it is there just don't know how to do it. I have tried suggestion with balls but have now discovered his interest is in dinosaurs so have spent the last couple of nights buying stuff on ebay to do with dinosaurs - hopefully this might start something!!

suggestions for play - 29-05-07 12:38

by: sparkbrook

why don't you try a toy library most areas haqve them now.

suggestions for play - 29-05-07 19:12

by: veb

Early Learning Centre have started to do a great little pack with suggestions for games/activities on easy to use cards - they are £2 in store or you can download them from the website. It's really simple stuff but great if you need some inspiration!

suggestions for play - 29-05-07 19:34

by: poison dwarf :)

most toys are boring and dont satisfy childrens natural curiosity.Have you tried heuristic play? theres some info on the b23 cd rom. it uses recycled and found materials,such as coffee tins, pegs, tubes,fir cones etc.the idea is that the play is open ended allowing children to explore their schema and interests. theres no failure and is great for children once they are toddling.
Why do people think this child has got special needs? he sounds like a child who has a particular interest or a dominant schema

suggestions for play - 29-05-07 20:03

by: veb

I agree - no indication of special needs - just boredom!

suggestions for play - 31-05-07 14:05

by: poison dwarf :)

Yep, he sounds bored and he likes one particular activity, not special needs. If he watches tv a lot, it doesnt require a response or for him to interact, where as activities do. So maybe he just doesnt know how
Have you tried tactfully discussing this with his parents?I know this is difficult and theres a fine line between being a concerned practitioner and parents thinking you are interfering
It sounds that the tv might be afffecting his sleep pattern too.