Special Needs & Inclusion

2 years & up. Enable play to take flight with this stunning collection of Sensory Play Stones: Birds. The tactile, realistic detailing will inspire curiosity and conversation while providing lots of wonderful sensory feedback. Sturdy bases make the birds versatile for imaginary play and create solid foundations for children's vocabulary and storytelling skills to grow. To top it all off, the birds are easy to clean and able to withstand water, soil, mud, and clay. Set features 8 different types of birds.

2 years & up. Enable play to take flight with this charming collection of Sensory Play Stones: Butterflies. The tactile, realistic detailing will inspire curiosity and conversation while providing lots of wonderful sensory feedback. Sturdy bases permit lots of imaginative play possibilities and create solid foundations for children's vocabulary and storytelling skills to grow. To top it all off, the butterflies are easy to clean and able to withstand water, soil, mud, and clay. Set features 8 different types of butterflies.

2 years and up. This set of realistic flower heads will help grow children's curiosity about the natural world around them. Created from a unique stone mix, they are durable enough to be used outdoors and are perfect for mud kitchen play, sand tables, and nature walks. These tactile stones encourage open-ended play and imagination. Set contains eight garden flowers: carnation, daffodil, dahlia, gerbera daisy, pansy, rose, sunflower, and tulip. Each flower stone measures approximately 2".

2 years & up. This lovely set of 12 leaves in natural tones will encourage children's imagination and curiosity about the world around them. Created from a unique stone mix ideal for outdoor learning and explorative play, these durable leaves can be used in water, soil, mud, and clay. Perfect for sensory play, details can be felt and seen. Your little learner will explore further making rubbings using crayons. Set of 12 stones consisting of six pairs of leaves with seasonal tones. Set includes leaves from the following trees: apple, beech, cherry, maple, oak and silver birch. Each stone measures between 2" - 3".

3 years & up. Take your game indoors without the noise with The Anywhere Silent Basketball! Designed for silent indoor training, this airless, high-density foam basketball allows you to practice dribbling and shooting drills without disturbing others. Despite its soft construction, it delivers a realistic bounce, mimicking the feel of a traditional basketball for an authentic playing experience. Measuring 9.5 inches (Official Size 7), this basketball is perfect for all skill levels and standard training exercises. Whether you're working on ball handling, improving your shot, or simply enjoying a game indoors, The Anywhere Silent Basketball is the perfect solution for quiet, effective practice anytime, anywhere!

3 years & up. Bring hands-on fun to classroom activities and playtime with our vibrant, dust-free colored sand! Available in a variety of bright hues, this safe, USA-made sand is perfect for sand and water tables, arts and crafts, and sensory exploration. Encourage creativity and imaginative learning with every colorful scoop!

Young children with special needs often face physical, emotional, or social barriers to deep engagement with the natural world. These challenges need not prevent them from enjoying the many benefits nature has to offer. Nature is a necessity. Research tells us that we are happier, healthier, more socially engaged, and more creative when it is part of our daily lives. These benefits apply to people of all ages and abilities. In this inspiring book, Dr. Ruth Wilson explores the great potential of connecting young children with special needs to the natural world. Drawing on her knowledge of research and her decades of work with children in nature, she weaves together advice, real-life examples, and testimonies from educators and families on the healing, nurturing power of nature in the lives of young children with diverse abilities. Paperback. 192 pages.

Every child belongs. Every child is unique. Every child has strengths. Every child has the potential to fly. Inclusion benefits all children! Inclusion--perhaps you believe it is complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Not true! Jani Kozlowski, experienced trainer and technical-assistance provider on inclusion and disability services, dispels the myths and shows that implementing high-quality inclusive practices in your program is easier than you think! Throughout "Every Child Can Fly," Kozlowski explores the defining features of high-quality inclusion and shows readers how to provide access and support for children with disabilities. Learn how to help them feel included through strong family involvement, peer relationships, individualized teaching practices, collaborative teaming, ongoing evaluation, and staff professional development. Learn why inclusion is important. Unravel the jargon and acronyms. Understand screening, assessment, and referrals. Paperback. 272 pages.

12 months & up. This ball set is perfect for alternative sensory play. Bright vivid colors will aid in the development of visual tracking and three alternating textures will provide necessary mental stimulation to reduce stress and anxiety. All six balls included squeak when squeezed, giving multiple sensory alleviation options for children and adults of all ages.

This strategy guide for early childhood professionals includes hundreds of research-based strategies and tips to strengthen young children's initiative, self-regulation, and attachment/relationships. The strategies incorporate developmentally appropriate teaching practices in five areas related to social and emotional health: Daily Routines; Environment; Caring Connections; Activities and Experiences; Partnerships between Teachers and Families. It takes readers through a simple five-step approach that uses assessment results from the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers, Second Edition (DECA-P2) to inform teaching practices that will strengthen children's resilience. Whether used as part of the comprehensive DECA Preschool Program or as a stand-alone guide, this strategy guide is an excellent resource for early educators. Copyright 2012.

These guides offer families simple strategies to support young children's healthy social and emotional development. Filled with suggestions of everyday activities that families can enjoy together and promote three key protective factors: initiative, self-regulation, and attachment/relationships. Booklets (40 pages) are available in English or Spanish in sets of 20. Copyright 2013.

For use with DECA-IT kit for children ages 18 months up to 36 months. Set of 30.

Describes practical ways to adjust centers and classroom routines for children with special needs. Suggestions enable all children to learn by keeping them involved in developmentally appropriate routines and center based activities. Each chapter focuses on either a learning center, such as art or science, or a time of the day, such as snack time or dismissal, with particular attention to the needs of children who are developmentally delayed, orthopedically impaired, have autism/Pervasive Development Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, behavioral issues, motor planning problems, or visual impairments. Age focus: 3 - 6 years. Paperback. 208 pages.

2 years & up. Children can create dough objects to put on the dough mats! Each mat has a letter and corresponding object for children to make and place on the mat. These mats are a wonderful and engaging way to incorporate literacy and fine motor skills. Activity card(s) included Gently wipe clean with a damp cloth, air dry. Measures 8.5" x 11". Set of 26.

18 months & up. Children will delight in all the fun and engaging learning opportunities available with the Sound and Sort Stackers. Multiple senses are engaged while children listen, look, sort, and stack these 18 captivating pieces. Encourage color recognition and fine motor development. A set of activity card(s) is included listing all of the benefits and many hands-on activities.

This guide provides early childhood professionals with the directions they need to use and interpret results of the DECA-P2. The manual also provides research information related to the development and standardization of the DECA-P2, including information about the instrument's reliability and validity. © 2012

18 months & up. Start their creativity early with these Easy-Grip Assorted Paint Brushes. These short, wide-handled brushes are sized perfectly for younger children. Each brush features a unique bulb design making it easier to grasp. These brushes promote fine motor skills, dexterity, and creativity. Set of 10. Paint brush measures 6" long.

Because their vocabularies haven't yet caught up with their thoughts and emotions, young children often struggle to communicate. Sign language can help them express themselves effectively to adults and peers--without the emotional outbursts caused by frustration! This book features the latest research to equip educators and caregivers with the tools and resources to teach young learners how to effectively communicate. Paperback. 208 pages.

This guide provides research-based, simple, easy-to-use social and emotional strategies for the home and childcare setting. With hundreds of strategies, organized into five chapters, this guide is a wonderful reference for any caregiver who is interested in promoting the social and emotional health of infants and toddlers.

5 years & up. Allow children to wiggle while they work with the Wobble Pad Sensory Cushions. Encourage movement without disrupting peers with the square seat cushion that fits any chair. The smooth surface on both sides provides tactile stimulation for children who aren't comfortable with the bumps or nubs found on most adaptive seating. Wobble Pad Sensory Cushions encourage weight shifting and movement which enables kids to expel excess energy and increase concentration. Sensory input engages the core, and the ergonomic square causes the body to stabilize itself, improving posture. Cushions each measure 11.8"L x 11.8"W and hold a maximum weight of 350 lbs. Available individually or as a set of 2.

3 years & up. With 20 matching wooden shapes and textured tiles, children can count, match, sort, and identify objects. Sort the geometric or object shapes for focused learning experiences. Deal out the tiles and children reach into the bag to feel and find the corresponding wooden shape. Includes geometric and object shapes. For visual or tactile play, independently or in groups. Includes cotton bag. 40 pieces.

An innovation in watercolors. Use directly from the bottle for intense color, or dilute for wash effect. This WaterColor Magic Assortment contains 6 eight oz. bottles (red, orange, yellow, blue, green, purple).

3 years & up. Manimo® weighted plush animals provide children with a sensory stimulation and soothing effect. These plush companions were designed to help children remain attentive and focused during their daily activities. Alleviating excess energy while providing deep pressure sensations. The weighted animals are soft and pliable and can be placed either on the child's shoulders, waist, thighs or stomach to stimulate rest and/or concentration. Recommended usage time is 15-20-minutes, preferably under adult supervision. Dolphin weighs 2 lbs. and Lizard weighs 4 1/2 lbs. Colors may vary.

6 months & up. This bright red ball has five smaller balls that fit snugly into the holes around its surface. Each ball has a different texture to provide a unique tactile experience. Play with them together or separate them for multi-child play. Large ball measures 6.5" D. Small balls each measure 2.5" D.