Gifts for Blind Preschoolers

It's time to update the gift guide! Tom is about to reach the ripe old age of three and his interests and abilities have changed significantly since I did the first gift guide.

Here is the new list: Thomas Marshall Does It All - Gifts for Blind Preschoolers List. 

Please note that I am not endorsing any Amazon sellers. This is just a way to share ideas with other parents and blog readers. You can definitely find some of these toys cheaper at a store near you.

Just a little tune up on the mower.

As always, keep the child you are purchasing the gift for in mind. 

Here are some points to think about:

• Will the child be able to operate this toy? Is it easy to use? Do you have to use a lot of pressure to push the buttons? Tom has toys that I can barely work. It's a good idea to play around with the toys to make sure they operate as you expect them to.

• Realistic is good! Since Tom's can't see things in action, having realistic toy versions that he can safely explore is a great way for him to learn about the world.

• Is it age appropriate? You don't want to choose something to simple or too complex. Tom has grown into many of his toys. You might take a chance on a toy and find that it becomes a favorite as the child grows. 

• Is it safe? Tom still mouths toys, so small parts are a choking hazard for him. Exploring toys with his mouth is just another way for him to get information about objects and to receive sensory input. This is not uncommon in blind children.

• Look for multi-sensory stimulation! A paint set would be pretty boring for Tom but scented modelling dough would be great. At Tom's daycare they put sand into the paint to create more of a texture experience for the kids. Texture always make a toy more interesting. It is also very important for breaking down any tactile sensitivity - he will need brave hands for Braille.

• Don't forget about books! If this doesn't seem like a very cool or exciting gift then think again. Books are EXCITING to Tom. He lights up when you ask him if he wants to read a book. And if that book has Braille for him to feel - forget about it! He is in love! It surprises me but sighted people seem to forget that a book without braille or texture is just a blank page to him. The braille dots are his word and even at his young age he realizes that those dots have meaning. Just as other children "pretend" to read long before they actually can, blind children are drawn to the Braille dots in the same way .

On many sites you can shop by age to get toy recommendations and Toys R Us even has a toy guide for differently abled kids - it's cool that you can shop the guide by skill.

Now I gotta go shopping for the birthday boy!