The Shire and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, an
independent review company of children's products, announced the
selection criteria designed to help guide parents this season as they
shop for toys for a child with ADHD.
"There is no doubt that children with ADHD have
special play needs. Choosing the right toys for them to play with in
order to help their growth and development can be a challenge," said
Stephanie Oppenheim, a child development expert and co-founder of the
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.
To their great credit, the company then went on to offer the
following sensible tips for working and playing with their child with ADHD:
Play to their strengths.
Many children with ADHD
have plenty of energy that they need to use so physical activity should
be encouraged. For example, sports like swimming or karate can provide a
valuable outlet.
Build confidence.
Children with ADHD have trouble
completing lengthy tasks because they often become frustrated and
discouraged. While bringing home an elaborate and complicated puzzle or
construction set might seem like a great treat, it may be too
intimidating for a child with ADHD. Instead, start out simpler and give
your child a puzzle or construction set that has fewer components and is
recognizable, such as an oversized map of the United States.
Remove
distractions.
oes your playroom look like a toy store? Children with
ADHD are easily distracted when there are lots of toys around vying for
their attention. To help your child focus, it might be helpful to have a
play table where only one game or toy can be played with at a time.
Place other toys in closed cabinets. In this case, less is definitely
more.
Keep it short.
Games with short play times are a better choice
than those with lengthier ones. Selecting games with only a few easy to
understand rules is the best choice for children with ADHD.
Dramatic
play.
Giving children the props for pretend play, whether it's a set of
costumes, puppets or a playhouse, also are solid choices for helping
children to develop their imaginations and communication skills.
Role-playing with dolls, stuffed animals or action figures allows
children to express feelings that they might not otherwise be able to do
directly.
Artistic expression.
Many children with ADHD are often told
that they are not doing something the right way. Open-ended art supplies
like clay, big markers or paints give children an opportunity to express
themselves in a non-verbal way. There is no right or wrong way to use
these art supplies. As a parent, it is also your job to provide positive
reinforcement. For example, you can help coordinate an art show for
family members to attend.
Make sure everyone is on the same team.
Be
aware that you can help children cope with ADHD and create a supportive
environment that involves the whole family. Children with ADHD cannot be
expected to sit still for long projects or games. It is important for
everyone to be aware and considerate of each other so that no one will
end up frustrated or in tears.
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