New in - Dinosaur Island!

I am in love with this! Dinosaur Island

Dinosaurs have been an endless source of fascination in this house - (did you know that the heaviest dinosaur weighed as much as 17 African elephants? DID YOU MUMMY? DID YOU????). As well as imaginative play, exploring and learning about dinosaurs helps children to learn all about the world around us, science, history, geography and even numeracy and literacy -all those facts and figures and incomprehensible Latin names (incomprehensible to those of us not currently 6 years old, anyway!)

This Dinosaur Island has a chunky, easy to put together wooden construction, and comes complete with 6 realistic dinosaur friends. Suitable for boys and girls from the age of 3 and up, it is a lovely base for play. A perfect birthday or Christmas gift (oh yes, I said the C word - come on people, it's nearly September!)

If your children love dinosaurs as much as mine do, then you need links, oh yes you do  - have a look at this fab resource The Dinosaur Museum

Or for an interactive game to help you learn innumerable facts and figures with a fun interactive interface, have a look here Kidsdinos

Also in stock at Learning SPACE we have Dino puzzles, 3d models, excavating projects, and Discount Product of the Week, a brilliant card/ memory game full of facts and figures about the terrible lizards!

Check back to the blog soon for exciting news about Learning SPACE and Sign2Music's new collaborative project.

Learning SPACE launch new product range for children with Autism.

Learning SPACE are excited to announce the launch of our new catalogue, full to bursting with products specifically selected for children and young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. 

Learning SPACE is a vibrant, exciting independent toy shop right in the heart of Belfast. Founded and staffed by teachers and childcare workers, Learning Space specialises in educational resources, providing an exciting range of toys, games, books - in fact any product that captivates, inspires and educates children! 

All children learn in different ways, and at their own speed. Children with additional needs can require more support and specifically tailored equipment and products.  This is not always easy to source - in fact, one of the reasons Learning SPACE came into being was the owner’s frustration at being unable to find the products that were needed. 

Our new product range is specifically designed for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It offers solutions for many of the challenges facing children with an ASD and their families. The catalogue covers sensory toys and equipment - from light shows to weighted blankets - toys and games, timers and incentive charts and much more. Everything in one place, so no need to spend hours scouring websites; at competitive prices, and of the highest quality.

Have a look - Autism

Our well trained and experienced staff can help you with any queries you might have - come down and have a chat! 

See our Autism Catalogue , call into the shop, phone or email,  “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter! 

A bit about me a bit about Learning SPACE, and a bit about Autism.

Hey blogsters.

So, here I am working for Learning SPACE as an Educational Product Advisor, and every day I talk to parents whose children have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  I do my best to help with practicalities (as far as I can!) but sometimes I think the best help of all is just talking to people who understand!

Here at Learning SPACE, we have a real interest in supporting families affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as well as other Additional Needs. We have developed a list of product ideas through the help of parents, therapists, teachers and, of course, kids.

I have a particular interest in ASD - my five (nearly six, where does the time go?) year old son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism just over a year ago.

We knew, of course we did, that our quirky little person wasn’t your average wee lad. But it still came as a massive shock. I remember saying to the diagnosing Paediatrician, “do you mean he’s borderline? Like a bit Autistic?”

And her reply that, no, it was quite clear, my perfect little boy was on the spectrum, and has this inexplicable, poorly understood disorder.

I went in to denial for a few weeks – but in order to get the support on offer, we had to accept the diagnosis, so accept it we did. Then I spent time being really angry – why did nobody help 2 years previously, when I was looked at like a madwoman for suggesting that my 2 year old was not developing normally, why was there no support then?

Eventually, I came to accept the diagnosis, and we dragged him from appointment to appointment to appointment, but the initial flurry has died down, and life is pretty good for us now, with good routines and structures in place.

If you are a parent of a child with additional needs, it can feel pretty isolating. There are lots of great support groups out there though, either online or in the real world – here are some wee links for you to try out.

Mumsnet Special Needs support forum 
National Autistic Society forum 
Autism NI 
Learning SPACE's ASD tailored products 

And please, call in to Learning SPACE, or give us a call – we have lots of ideas, books and products that can help to make life a little easier for you and your child.

Gail Pascoe, Qualified teacher of Special Needs and Music, and mum to 3 completely brilliant goblins, one of whom happens to have Autism.