Children with additional needs

Our young toddler is at the age when we want to teach them to throw and catch a ball.

This’ll be fun, we think. We can get out in the garden and play together.

I remember doing this when I was a kid . . . let’s go!

Gradually it becomes apparent that it isn’t fun for this particular toddler. They aren’t behaving in a way we’d expect, in a way that we remember.

They’re confused by what’s being asked of them.

The ball is big, it’s also hard. It hurt when it hit them a minute ago.

They’re afraid of the ball . . . this isn’t fun at all.

They don’t have the motor control to be able to catch it yet, so they might stand there waiting to be bumped by the ball again, or they might run away and disengage completely.

Everyone’s confused . . . frightened toddler and well-meaning adult.

Time to step back and rethink.

Just a few small adjustments

Ball play is fun, right?

Not if it hurts and confuses.

We need to make friends with the ball . . . love the ball . . . want to interact with it.

Children with additional needs can still play and interact, can still have fun and do many of the things that others do without a second thought. They just need adjustments to be made so they can access those things that others take for granted.

Betsy watches on . . . ”that’s my snuffle ball!”

And so, enrichment for children with additional needs was born.

A soft fleecy snuffle ball isn't just gorgeous to look at, it feels lovely too. Introduce it to them, encourage them to explore its shape and texture, and move on to the catching idea only when they're used to it. Great for bonding, skill development and self-confidence.

The texture, the smell and the fact that it can’t hurt . . .

Pupplesnuffs has arranged a shop category of items we feel could benefit those with additional needs, who need little adjustments to be made so they can access those things the rest of us take for granted.

Also of interest are enrichment puzzles which provide the soothing, calming opportunities so needed by children who find our world difficult and, at times, frustrating.