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26.7: How to Make Adaptions to Materials to Meet the Needs of an Infant or Toddler

  • Page ID
    142768
    • Amanda Taintor & Emily Elam
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    Materials and Inclusion

    Choosing toys and materials carefully is essential, because the right toys and materials can give children with disabilities a chance to be engaged and to experience success. For infants and toddlers, child care providers typically offer a variety of toys, such as blocks, stacking or nesting cups, and simple shape sorters or puzzles designed for very young children to use. Also, including materials that encourage sensory exploration by using smells, sounds, sights, and textures enhances children's learning and development.[1]

    Depending on the individual needs, some toys or materials might require simple adaptations to support the child's ability to use them. For example, attaching hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro), large knobs, or handles may make it easier for a child with visual or physical-motor special needs to play with blocks or puzzles. Similarly, adding fabric or tabs to the edges of cardboard book pages can make it easier to turn pages. Of course, it's essential to be mindful of potential choking hazards when considering modifying materials.[1]

    These are just a few simple and inexpensive strategies to ensure that all children can use materials successfully. Fortunately, family members and specialists familiar with an individual child's development are also a great source of information and ideas for making simple adaptations to support the child's success. Many toys and materials for infants and toddlers already have some of the simple adaptations mentioned above.[1]

    Assistive technology can support a child's ability to participate actively in his or her home, childcare program, school, or other community settings. Using electronic toys, switches, or other devices in your child care environment may help an infant or toddler to take part fully in activities. Switches allow children who have limited hand function or muscle control to operate toys or materials that they could not play with otherwise. Sometimes a very young child will need equipment for positioning, such as a specialized chair or stander. Assistive technology and adaptations should be listed in the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) if a child has one.[1]

    Thinking about how a child with special needs will explore and use your child care environment gives you a chance to consider the strengths of your environment and enhance it as needed.[1]


    [1] U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, n.d., Creating Inclusive Environments and Learning Experiences for Infants and Toddlers is in the pubic domain


    This page titled 26.7: How to Make Adaptions to Materials to Meet the Needs of an Infant or Toddler is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor & Emily Elam.