DAY FOUR - morning & afternoon

We discussed early development checklists and what milestones should be reached and what time, and when to be worried. This is an example of an early development checklist:

http://www.preschoollearningcenter.org/images/upload/developmental_checklist.pdf

Knowing the development process helps us understand what steps in the process can be worked on, especially if milestones are not being met. There are so many toys out there that help develop certain skills. We were asked to do a toy analysis and look at toys differently than what we're used to.

TOY ANALYSIS

TOY:  Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg (game for LeapPad and Leapster Explorer)

Store:  Toys R Us

Disability Category:              Rating:  **** or * stars

Physical                                   ***

Sensory                                   ****

Communicative                       ***

Cognitive                                ****

Toy Company:

Price:                                       $24.99  for the game [$79.99 – Leapster Explorer; $99.99 –                                                              LeapPad]

Box Age Range:                     4 – 7 years

# Pieces:                                  1

Washability:                            none

Storability:                              easily stored in a protective case

Directions:                               included with game and talks child through it while playing

Play Locations:                       everywhere

Adjustability:                          there is an add-on that can be purchased, as well as online                                                                activities that can be purchased and downloaded to the game

Levels of Play:                        many

Batteries:                                 2 AA batteries

Description general:

Number writing

Children learn to write numbers using proper stroke order.

Letter writing

Children use knowledge of letter names and shapes to write both uppercase and lowercase letters.

 
Shapes

Children learn to recognize the defining properties of shapes (such as a square having four sides of equal length and a triangle having three sides) and identify them in different rotations.

Art and drawing

As they draw, children develop spatial reasoning, visual acuity, and hand control, which later helps them write letters.

Creativity/Imagination

Children can create their own art using cool tools, colours, filters, stamps and effects and they can become an animator by creating their own flip book.

APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Physical

Description	Helps the child physically form numbers and letters with a writing utensil.  Develops hand control.
Skills	Correct formation of numbers, letters, shapes, etc.  Develops hand-eye coordination.
Play Ideas	Have child create the shapes, numbers, or letters they just made using the game on a chalk board or paper for practice.
Adaptation Ideas	Help the child by guiding his/her hand while trying to form the letter, numbers, or shapes.

Sensory

Description	Visually stimulating.  The animation is entertaining and there are many patterns and colours throughout the game.  The auditory stimulation is entertaining, as well.  Many different voices, actions, stories, etc.
Skills	Visual and auditory cues for what is happening, directions, right/wrong, etc.
Play Ideas	Have the child put a sticker on a chart each time he/she received a visual/auditory cue that he/she did something correct.
Adaptation Ideas	Follow along as the child plays and help give cues, advice/suggestions, praise throughout the game.

Communicative

Description	The game is meant to be played with one player; however, the child can learn turn taking and patience if the child plays with another child.  They can also discuss the game and what to do next, what is right/wrong, what creative ideas each one has, etc. The game communicate with the child and the child needs to know how to respond (ex: follow the directions of the game)
Skills	Following directions, taking turns, patience, listening and responding, etc.
Play Ideas	See above in Description for 2 player ideas.  Children can sign in with own names (on same game at different times, or on different games) and try to get to the next levels before the other, or try to do the same things (ex: drawing pictures) as the other.
Adaptation Ideas	Have the child repeat directions, or stories for memory practice.

Cognitive

Description	This game has a lot of depth with what can be learned by the child (ex: numbers, letters, shapes, colours, creativity, etc).  The levels allow for challenge and a steady rise in difficulty as the child masters different skills.
Skills	Writing numbers, letters, shapes, knowing colours, being imaginative and creative, etc.
Play Ideas	Suggest the child create different drawings and animation booklets to challenge his/her creativity.
Adaptation Ideas	If the child is not understanding the movements of forming numbers, letters, shapes, guide the child’s hand while playing the game.  Also, practice on paper/chalk board away from the game.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS       CHECK IF APPROPRIATE

	Durable
X	High Contrasting Colours
	Tactilely Stimulating
X	Visually Stimulating
X	Wide Age Range
X	Inviting Due to Uniqueness
X	Open-ended
X	Innovative
X	High quality
X	Detailed
X	Hands on Approach to learning
X	Easy to grasp/hold
	One-piece unit
X	Upright position for play
	Other:

DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES PROMOTED

X	Visual attention
X	Visual tracking
X	Visual processing
X	Memory and recall
X	Cause and effect
X	Action concepts: in/out, push/pull, on/off, go/stop
X	Fine motor
X	Eye-hand coordination
X	Problem solving
X	Finger and hand control and dexterity
	Physical range of motion
X	Deliberate finger movements
X	Precision
X	Directionality
X	Wrist rotation
X	Hand and finger grasp
	Pointing, one isolated finger
	Motor planning
X	Self esteem
X	Manual dexterity
X	Sequential thought
	Reaching
	Strategic thinking
X	Turn taking
X	Patience
X	Spatial relationships – over, under, on, off
	Reaching/arm extension
X	Functional finger movement and exploration
X	Coordinated movement
X	Sorting and classification
X	Early Literacy
	Texture Discrimination
	Object Permanence
	Tactile Discrimination
X	Problem Solving
X	Directionality
X	Cooperative Hand Movement
X	Letter Recognition
	Life Skills
X	Pre-Literacy
	Social Interaction
	Foot Placement
	Weight Shifting
	Core Strengthening – Trunk Strengthening
X	Colour Recognition and Identification
X	Word Recognition
X	Number concepts
X	Visual Acuity