The holidays are right around the corner and finding the perfect gift for a child with Hearing Loss is tricky. In today’s world of high tech Toys, finding toys that are both interesting and hearing-compatible isn’t easy. Here are a couple of tips to help you find the best suitable toys for your child.

• For the most part, less is always more. Basic toys such as puzzles encourage cognitive development and creative play.
• Books are always a homerun. For those who are younger aim for books with strong and durable pages. When it comes to older children, choose books that appeal to their interest.
• Choose toys that encourage development in variety of areas such as speech/language, cognition, fine motor, gross motor and pretend play.
• Toys such as dollhouses or games are ideal for encouraging social skills and cooperative play.
• Cochlear implants and/or hearing aids have built in noise limiting features.  Noisy toys pose a significant risk for noise induced hearing loss for children with typical hearing.
• Magnet toys are very popular now. It allows for scientific exploration. Think about it. When a child puts two positive ends together and realizes they will not stick. It allows for critical thinking and to learn cause and effect.

Here are some suggestions for items we think would be perfect holiday gifts.

• Dress-up box filled with “costumes”
• Lots and lots of books
• Pretend kitchen and food accessories
• Ball, puppets, art supplies
• Play-doh, rolling pins, and cookies cutters
• Games such as Barnyard Bingo, Apples to Apples, deck of cards

A website that is helpful for Children that have disabilities is Toys R Us Differently-Abled Kids.  It allows for you to choose which skills your children could improve on and gives a range of toys that apply to that specific skill. Check it out!