The Ladder of Cognitive Skills for Special Needs Kids

It’s often useful to keep in mind the kinds of skills we should be helping our special kids master as they grow and develop. The following steps are general guidelines you can use as you direct your child through floor time play at home, special education in the classroom, and social interactions with friends and family. As you read the following list, try to determine which steps your child has mastered and which ones need additional focus. Often times the child has a mixture of abilities and challenges on every rung of the ladder. And remember that in order for … Continue reading

Shape Your Baby Toys

A classic toddler favorite for your baby is shape sorters. What makes a shape sorter such a great toy and favorite of babies is that they are a challenge. The baby has to manipulate the pieces with their fingers and fit them through the right holes in the top of the sorter. When they play with a shape sorter, they can learn to categorize the different types of shapes and over time they will even begin to name the shapes. When is the right time to add a shape sorter to your baby’s playtime activities? My daughter got her first … Continue reading