Kindergarten Games for Kids with Special Needs

Caring for a child with special needs can be pretty difficult. Depending on the type and severity of the disability, parents may often find themselves at a loss and wondering how to deal with unexpected situations. While every child is different and deserves to be treated as a unique individual, parents usually learn through trial-and-error how to care for their children. However, when a child has special needs, the parents are in greater need of expert advice and help to ensure that they are giving their child the best they can offer. From completing routine tasks to navigating social gatherings, every task may need certain adjustments to accommodate the needs of a child with special needs. Even playtime is drastically different due to the limitations in movement, mental ability and social skills. Here are some kindergarten game ideas for kids with special needs.

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1. Jigsaw puzzles with big pieces

For children with a delay in the development of fine motor skills, it is difficult to participate in kindergarten games involving the manipulation of small objects. Caregivers can provide alternate forms of entertainment and intellectual stimulation with games that have larger parts and require less precise movements. A jigsaw puzzle with large pieces is a good example of one such kindergarten game. Kids with Down’s syndrome, who have mild to moderate mental disability and delayed development of fine motor skills, will find such toys engaging.

2. Online games

For children who have difficulty moving about oranxiety with social interaction, online games are a great means of entertainment. Parents can find many kindergarten games that can be adjusted to suit their child’s learning pace and abilities. Children with autism in particular have been found to benefit from playing games on the computer. The cause-and-effect nature of online games, and the ability to interact with game characters without the pressure of social interaction have been found to be therapeutic for autistic children.

3. Big blocks

Kids with cerebral palsy have involuntary spastic movements and commonly have difficulty manipulating small objects. Impaired upper limb function makes it difficult to play kindergartengames that require precise movements with the arms, hands or fingers. For kids with similar problems, large building blocks can provide entertainment and are easier to handle than toys with smaller parts.

4. Painting

Art is commonly used to help people manage emotions, resolve conflicts, reduce stress and increase self-awareness. With trained Art Therapists, it can be used to treat a wide range of mental, physical and behavioural disorders as well. However, even without trained professionals, painting can be a great activity for children with special needs. Kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD often find it difficult to follow instructions. Unfortunately this makes it difficult for them to follow the rules of many kindergarten games. Painting is a great alternative for kids with similar problems. Both recreational and productive, it allows children to create something they can be proud of without the fear of ‘messing up’.