Blog
TITLE AND SUBJECT OF ARTICLE
Choosing
Appropriate Toys for Children with ADHD
There is no "cure" for ADHD, but there are
effective ways to manage this condition once diagnosed.
Choosing Appropriate Toys for Children with ADHD
Choosing just the right toy for any child can be
difficult. But the challenge is magnified if you are
looking for the perfect gift to give one of the 4.4
million children affected by
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Children who have ADHD may have special play needs,
so I urge parents of my young patients to buy toys that
help their children focus, gain self-confidence and
learn to socialize and interact appropriately with other
children. The following suggestions may be helpful:
• LEGOS/Building Blocks: Children with ADHD
often have trouble completing lengthy tasks because they
become frustrated and discouraged. LEGOS and building
blocks are hands-on toys that are simple to use and have
only a few pieces so children can create a single
structure in a relatively short period of time, which
may help build their confidence.
• Chapter
Books: Books with short chapters help your child focus
and stay attentive. Read aloud one or more chapters each
night or have your child read to you.
•
Dress Up: All children, but especially kids with ADHD,
can benefit from dramatic play and artistic expression,
which allow them to be creative and express feelings in
a fun and nonjudgmental environment. So give them a box
of costumes, puppets or a playhouse. Watching a play is
a great way for family members to connect with a child
and provide lasting memories. It is important to also
keep in mind that people with ADHD are often
intelligent, friendly, creative and determined. These
strengths should be encouraged from an early age.
• Easel and Paint Set or Play-Doh: Art
supplies such as paint and clay give children with ADHD
an opportunity to express themselves in a nonverbal way.
Art supplies also help children gain self-confidence
since there is no right or wrong way to use them.
• Floor Puzzle: Giving children something
simple to do, such as a floor puzzle, helps build
confidence. Choose a recognizable pattern or shape that
won't intimidate them. Ideas include the solar system
and the alphabet.
• Swimming, Skating,
Martial Arts or Music Lessons: Physical activity is
encouraged for children who have ADHD. Sign them up for
lessons in a structured sport or hobby, which can
provide a valuable outlet for all their energy.
There is no "cure" for ADHD, but there are effective
ways to manage this condition once diagnosed. Medication
may be part of a treatment plan designed to control your
child's ADHD symptoms. Currently, stimulant medications
such as Adderall XR are considered a first-line
treatment option for ADHD. The active ingredients in
these medications have been used medically for nearly 70
years.
It's important to consider a child's
strengths when choosing toys.
Important Safety
Information: Adderall XR was generally well tolerated in
clinical studies. The most common side effects in
studies included: children-decreased appetite,
difficulty falling asleep, stomachache, and emotional
lability; adolescents-loss of appetite, difficulty
falling asleep, stomachache, and weight loss; adults-dry
mouth, loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep,
headache, and weight loss.
Adderall XR may not be
right for everyone. Patients should speak with their
doctor if they have a history of high blood pressure or
any heart conditions, glaucoma, thyroid problems,
emotional instability, mental illness, or a known
allergy to this type of medication. Abuse of amphetamine
may lead to dependence. Misuse of amphetamine may cause
sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
These events have also been reported rarely with
amphetamine use.
If you are currently taking or
have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a
MAO inhibitor or have a pre-existing structural heart
abnormality, you should not take Adderall XR. There is a
potential for worsening of motion or verbal tics and
Tourette's syndrome. A patient should report any new
psychological symptoms to his or her physician.
Dr. Harry Verby is the medical director of the
Behavioral Medical Clinic in San Mateo, Calif., and
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of
attention-deficit disorder and related co-morbid
conditions in children, adolescents and adults.
A Grandparent’s
Guide To Choosing Age Appropriate Toys
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1.3
million children are entrusted to their grandparents
every day. Roles of a grandparent include spoiling and
enlightening their grandkids with toys they will enjoy.
After all, toys are considered to be treasures of
childhood. With this role comes an added responsibility
to make sure that grandchildren stay safe and enjoy a
toy that is age-appropriate. Grandparents make up a
large percentage of toy buyers. Thousands of toys are
marketed ...
age appropriate toys,safe
toys,choosing toys for grandchildren,educational
toys,wooden toys
According to the U.S. Census
Bureau, 1.3 million children are entrusted to their
grandparents every day. Roles of a grandparent include
spoiling and enlightening their grandkids with toys they
will enjoy. After all, toys are considered to be
treasures of childhood. With this role comes an added
responsibility to make sure that grandchildren stay safe
and enjoy a toy that is age-appropriate. Grandparents
make up a large percentage of toy buyers. Thousands of
toys are marketed with the promise to educate and
entertain kids. Unfortunately, not every toy is safe for
children to play with. What can a grandparent look for
when purchasing a toy for the kids that they love?
Most pediatricians and child experts believe there
are a lot of hidden hazards concerning toys that people
should be made aware of. Here is a guide that
grandparents can use when it comes time to buy a
distinctive toy for that special little person:
*
Make sure the toy is age-appropriate. Labels on toy
packaging should specify the age group the toy is made
for. Consider that children at any age have different
maturity levels. You may want to avoid buying a toy that
won’t hold the child’s attention. Make sure to buy
educational toys that match every child’s age group.
This will make the toy effective and fun to play with.
* Read and follow all warning labels. According to
the Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC, choking
is the most common cause of toy-related deaths. Warning
labels are made to alert if a toy poses a choking hazard
for younger children, typically under the ages of three.
Federal law requires these labels. Make sure toys made
for older children are kept out of the reach of younger
children. Objects such as balls should not be less than
1.75" in diameter. Avoid toys that have small parts that
can potentially be pried off by tiny curious hands.
Examples of toys that contain small parts are stuffed
teddy bear’s eyes or a wooden car’s wheels. Stuffed and
wooden toys are still very popular among children; just
think BIG when checking out the “parts” attached to the
toy. Toys should be larger than the child’s mouth. Tip:
if a toy or toy part can fit inside an empty toilet
paper roll, chances are the toy is too small. This would
not be a safe toy. If a toy contains small parts, parts
should be secured and guaranteed not to come off.
* Make sure toys are free from sharp and pointy
edges. As an experienced mother or father, you are
probably aware, small children have a tendency to put
most things in their mouth. It is important toys are
free from sharp edges as to avoid cuts and injuries.
There may be danger of a child falling on top of a toy
while playing. To avoid injuries, make sure pointy edges
are buffered or eliminated,
* Avoid LOUD toys.
Children’s ears are highly sensitive and hearing can
easily be damaged by loud noises. In order to find out
if a toy is too loud, use your own ears as a tool. If
the toy is too loud for you, it’s twice as loud for the
child. You can choose to take out batteries of the toy
or cover speakers with tape. This method is not
preferred since tape can be pulled off and the child can
swallow it.
* Make sure toys are free of toxic
chemicals. Toys such as art supplies, play make-up and
crayons have been known to contain toxic chemicals.
Before making a purchase, investigate ingredients and
contents of the product by looking at the label. The
same label should also provide instructions on what to
do in case of accidental ingestion of any hazardous
substance that the item might contain. It may be wise to
consult your local poison control to use as a reference
if you need one.
* Some toys come with cords or
strings. If a cord or string is longer than 12 inches in
length, it can pose a strangulation hazard if looped.
Never cut an electrical cord! Make sure electrical cords
or wires are secured and protected. Make sure to
supervise if an electrical toy needs to be plugged into
an outlet. Battery-operated toys are preferable to
purchase, especially with young children around.
However, battery doors need to be checked frequently to
make sure they are secured and cannot be opened. If
strings have been cut, make sure frayed edges are cut
also. When purchasing crib mobiles, make sure the mobile
can be safely mounted high on the crib and out of
babies’ reach.
* If you choose to purchase a toy
over the Internet there are a few things that you should
be aware of: Internet sold toys may not comply with U.S.
Toy regulations. Auction sites may sell toys that have
been recalled by the CPSC. This could be due to the fact
the toys were hazards to children’s safety. If you
happen to come across a recalled toy, or you would like
to see what toys have been recalled, there are web sites
available to you. CPSC or http://Recalls.gov provides
sites with helpful information.
* Supervise and
be realistic about your grandchild’s abilities and
maturity levels. Ask yourself the following questions:
Is the child physically ready for a certain toy? Is the
toy too heavy? A heavy toy can cause severe injury if
the toy falls on the child. Gauge if the child can
physically control a heavy toy. Teach the child the
safest way recommended by the manufacturer to use the
toy properly. Again, SUPERVISE!
* Follow these
tips when buying video games: follow age recommendations
of each game and observe a game’s ratings. Games rated T
for Teen can contain violence, profanity and content not
suitable for children under the age of 13. EC for early
childhood or E for everyone would be the best choice of
rating when buying a video game for younger children.
* Remember the days when you would buy toys for your
children? How many dollars have we spent to watch our
children and now our children’s children go to the
kitchen cupboard, pull out all the pots and pans and
wooden spoons and bang away and be happy for hours at
play? Or grandparents made or bought wooden toy vehicles
and wood constructed pull toys that were safe and
entertaining. Maybe all the banging of pots and pans is
no longer a situation we wish to experience but fun and
educational wooden toys are still available.
There was a time when toys were put on the market and
bought without a lot of regard for safety. Grandparents
could buy any toy that surely the grandchildren would
enjoy without considering if the toy was
age-appropriate. It was assumed that kids were thought
to have the automatic knowledge not to pick up monopoly
money and put it in their mouth. Slinkys were toys made
to “walk” down your closest set of stairs. Who knew kids
would start to use the Slinky as a rope from which to
hoist their little brothers up to the highest treetop?
Times have changed. So many toy accidents have taken
place, it is now important to teach kids and
grandparents the importance of toy safety. The most
exciting thing about being a grandparent is watching
grandchildren grow up happy and healthy. By becoming
vigilantly aware shoppers, grandparents have the power
to protect the grandchildren they love.
A Guide To Choosing
The Right Toy For Your Child’s Age
Choosing the right toy for your child’s age
is not just a matter of selecting a toy that will
engage, entertain and educate them, it is also a matter
of safety. If you’ve browsed the aisles of any toy store
lately you probably know that selecting the right toy
can be a difficult undertaking. Not only do you want a
toy that you can rest assured will provide no danger to
your child, but you also want to select a toy that will
help your child develop their full potential.
Res...
parent,toy,toys,child,children,parenting,play,gift
Choosing the right toy for your child’s age is not
just a matter of selecting a toy that will engage,
entertain and educate them, it is also a matter of
safety. If you’ve browsed the aisles of any toy store
lately you probably know that selecting the right toy
can be a difficult undertaking. Not only do you want a
toy that you can rest assured will provide no danger to
your child, but you also want to select a toy that will
help your child develop their full potential.
Research indicates that children who are provided with
age-appropriate toys that are stimulating will help
children to more fully develop their physical, cognitive
and creative abilities. By learning which toys are right
for your child’s age you can help them to stimulate the
connections in their brains that are responsible for
building your child’s future intelligence.
Keep
in mind that it is never to early to begin this all
important process. Even the youngest babies can begin
responding to bright colors, helping their vision to
develop more quickly.
Children under Six Months:
• Mobiles in bright colors will stimulate vision
• Activity centers to encourage reaching for motor
control development
• Mirrors designed with baby
safety in mind to encourage your child to explore faces
• Rattlers and teethers that will introduce baby to new
textures.
• Board books-even at this young age
reading to your baby will help them with beginning
language development
6 to 12 Months
During
this time period, it is important to begin focusing on
interactive play with your child. This includes
introducing the concept of cause and effect as well
working on eye-hand coordination. Simple games such as
“peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake” are fun ways to help your
baby discover the wonders of their new world. In
addition, look for these types of toys to further
stimulate your child’s development and learning:
• Toys that are musical and make sounds
• Baby gyms
and activity courses to stimulate crawling
• Bouncers
to stimulate physical activity
• Play telephones to
encourage communication through mimicking
• Soft
dolls and stuffed animals for kids who love to cuddle
• Wooden and soft blocks for stacking, filling and
dumping games
12-18 Months
Around the time
your child turns one he or she may begin to walk or
experiment with taking those first steps. Toys at this
age should focus on supporting your child’s curiosity in
exploration while further developing fine motor
coordination.
• Swing sets and safety trikes
encourage physical activity and development
•
Building blocks for eye-hand coordination
• Nesting
cups and shape sorters to improve eye-hand coordination
as well as problem solving skills
•
Storybooks/picture books for language and vocabulary
development
• Toddler appropriate videos and music
18-24 Months
By the time they are a 1 ½ years
old most children begin to use their imagination in
play. This typically takes on the form of make-believe;
however, in reality this type of play is helping them to
develop problem solving strategies. Look for toys that
support this important time of development by expanding
their exposure to shapes, colors, ability to follow
instructions and language. The important key to remember
at this age is that kids are truly learning with
hands-on play.
• Costumes and dress-up to
stimulate imagination
• Push and pull toys that
support both tykes that are beginning to walk as well as
advanced walkers
• Puzzles that are easy to
manipulate with a small number of pieces
• Playhouses
and other scaled down objects that your child sees
everyday will give them the opportunity to mimic the
world around them.
• Swing sets to develop physical
skills
24-36 Months
At age two children
begin to really focus on fine motor coordination, even
though they do not realize it, of course. By this age
kids can begin working with board games suitable for
their age as well as craft type projects and toys. Most
kids this age are also ready to begin playing with other
kids, so you may also wish to look for games and toys
that are more structured in nature that previous toys.
• Simple board games and puzzles to encourage
further eye-hand coordination and memory development.
• Outdoor equipment such as swing sets, riding vehicles
and tricycles to build physical skills
• Beginner
musical instruments
• Playhouses
• Sand boxes
•
Train sets
• Dolls
• Cars/trucks
•
Costumes/dress-up
• Art sets
• Storybooks for
language development and vocabulary building
• Videos
and music, especially those that expose kids to numbers
and the alphabet
By keeping in mind which toys
are age-appropriate you will be in a better position to
help support the lightening fast development of your
child’s brain and actually step up their learning and
development.