Self-esteem through Toys For Children with Special Needs

Oct. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Kids love toys.  They are fun, they are entertaining and they open and fuel creativity and imagination.  These are just a few of the reasons children love to play.  What children do not know is that within those games, hidden in the building blocks, spinning tops and jump ropes is another benefit they cannot see and are unaware of.  The ability to fuel not just their imagination, but their self-esteem as well.

What are the elements of true self-esteem.   The term is used to describe a person’s overall sense of worth.  On a deeper level self-esteem is a way a person establishes their personal value, how lovable they are and how capable they are within the world they live in.

Children with disabilities are highly vulnerable to self-esteem issues.  Often the world around them focuses on their individual differences rather than their similarities to other children.  Being judged as different or experiencing physical limitations can often cause a child’s self-esteem to take a hit.  

“Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.”   This is according to the health website www.kidshealth.org, an outreach program sponsored by The Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media.

What can a concerned parent do to help their child with a disability develop a healthy sense of self-esteem?  “An easy way to build self-esteem is to give your child some ‘winning’ experiences,”  according to Ellen Metrick, Chief Toy Evaluator for the nonprofit National Lekotek Center, “and toys are a great way to start.  The National Lekotek Center is dedicated to helping children with disabilities reach their full potential through the benefits of play.  

“There are a plethora of toys and play products on the market that children of all abilities can win at and feel accomplished with,”  adds Metrick.  That is one of the reason Lekotek introduced their website www.ableplay.org to connect children with special needs to play products they can succeed with.  “We also believe that play is the natural way children hone their skills and push beyond their limits to explore new challenges and relish new accomplishments.”

Parents should bring into their home games their child can win at and then make a big deal of his or her efforts. Self-esteem is a ‘valuable’ component in a happy, successful child’s life.  This is a real concrete benefit that toys can provide to a child with special needs, even though they cannot see it.  The good news is that a parent can see it, as evidenced by the big smile on their child’s face.

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AblePlayTM is the latest initiative from the nonprofit National Lekotek Center, division of the nonprofit Anixter Center, and the leading authority on toys and play for children with disabilities. For further information, please contact us at 773.528.5766 or visit us online at www.ableplay.org.