If you or your child have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or any sensory processing difficulty; or even if you are just one of life's fiddlers, you'll know exactly how difficult it is to be still, quiet and remain on task.
Some of us crave movement and tactile input.
Unfortunately, this can be a distraction to both the person concerned and all of the people around them. However counter-intuitive it may seem, tapping, wriggling, doodling and fidgeting actually helps some people to remain focused, so the best way to deal with it is to find objects or activities that can be used without disturbing those around you.
At Learning SPACE, we have a range of products designed to meet the needs of people who crave sensory input. In this blog, I'm going to explain and review just a few of them.
One of our best sellers, and one of my favourite things in the shop, is the Tangle Junior.
It comes in a wide range of colours and textures, from smooth to fuzzy to textured and is now available in glow in the dark!
It is jointed all around, so has an infinite range of movement, but is small enough to be hidden in one hand when required. I often twist one around my wrist to fiddle with while working or on the computer.
Some adults have found the Tangle Jr to be a useful tool when giving up smoking - distracting from the cravngs. It's very reasonably priced at £4.99
The Fiddle and Think Jar contains a Tangle Jr as part of its wide variety of textures and fiddles. It also contains
- Bendy Character
- Smiley Stress Ball
- Stretchy Smiley Man
- Lumpy Squidfy Ball
- Baby Hairy Mite
- Smiley Juggling ball
- Mini Clay Putty Pot
- Mini Squeezy Duck
This all comes in a sturdy storage jar. A great resource for parents or teachers, and extremely good value at just £14.99
Children with high sensory input needs have very individual tastes when it comes to textures. Where some may prefer a smooth toy, others might enjoy a bouncy, stretchy clay or a velvety texture.
Moodies are a lovely, pliable foam-filled squisher. His hair is great for twisting and flicking and his face can be moulded and contorted any way you like. At only £2.99 Moodies are a real bargain for hours of sensory calming.
Along with Moodies we have the Squishy Mesh Ball. Squidgy, squashy multi-coloured entertainment!
Mohdoh aromatherapy dough is also proving to be very popular at only £4.99.
For school children, the Fidget Pencil is an excellent addition to their everyday toolkit. It has a cool, funky look and can be discreetly fiddled with without drawing attention to the user. At only £1.99, it's a great buy.
Some of us crave full body movement. For these people, a Movin Sit Junior cushion can prove very beneficial. It wobbles as you sit on it, strengthening core muscles while also providing sensory unput. My own son often uses his for computer play, homework, or during meal times. It really helps him to remain in his seat and calm. We have both child and adult (suitable for teens) versions in stock.
I hope I've given you a few pointers here. Call in to the store to chat to our well trained and informed staff, phone or email if you would like more information about any of our products.
The massive range of Hama Beads products provide craft ideas for all kids from 3+
It's very simple - you take a template (priced from 99p!) and a selection of coloured beads, choose your colours and make your patterns, and then iron over the top to make a permanent work of art!
For younger children, the Maxi Beads are a great choice. Suitable from three years, they are a good chunky size for little fingers, but work in exactly the same way as the version for older children. You can choose from starter kits, like this one, or individual peg boards and beads.
Just look at the sort of things your child could be making:
When your child hits 5, or thereabouts, they'll be ready to move on to Hama Midi Beads.
These are a smaller size, so more detail can be achieved in the art work. From fabulous gift sets like this farm, priced at only £14.99, to individual pegboards and beads, there is something to suit every budget and taste! There are even beads that glow in the dark!
Why not come into the shop on a Saturday - this month we are running special Hama Bead sessions between 11 and 3 every Saturday. You can have a go and see the range!
