Best toys and activities for young child with dyspraxia/developmental coordination disorder

[pranava]

DS is 25 months and just qualified for physical therapy and occupational therapy.  There was no official label put on his movement problems, but from what the therapist said and my own observations, I think his issues are related to dyspraxia with a little bit of SPD.  What are the best types of toys and activites for improving balance, fine and gross motor skills, and motor planning.  I was thinking of beads to string and a toddler trampoline with a bar to hold on to while he learns to jump - he can't jump at all yet.  Anyone have experience with this?

[Linda on the move]

Are there any kiddie gym classes where you live for kids so young?

Once my DD turned 3 we had TONS of options. Gymnastics, creative movement, etc. Check your city's parks and rec programs. They might have some motor skills stuff for 2 year olds.

Some well run story times include finger plays and action songs, which are great for working on those motor skills. If not, just get resources from your library for including those things at home. They most likely have books, CD, DVDs etc.

Ultimately, swimming was the best thing for my DD. It was great for her motor skills and sensory issues, and something about getting really comfortable in the water helped her become more comfortable on land.

Is it warm enough where you live to hit the park? Just learning to play on play ground equipment was big for my DD.

For fine motor skills, finger painting, playdough, playing in a pan of dry cornmeal, etc.

I got a lot of ideas from The Out of Sync Child.

[hayleyvt]

My DD was also in PT (and is now in OT as well) at a young age for coordination issues, and we mostly worked in our yard, having her climb stairs and lots of hopscotch, climbing, and everyday skills : pumping on the swing, running, hopping, skipping, etc...

We have Honeybee hop at home and it is a HUGE hit :)  BTW, DD did not learn to jump until she was 3 ;)

a trampoline is a great idea, disks or rings that can be placed on the floor for hopscotch or island hopping were helpful here. 

For fine motor.....not sure at 25 months, My DD just started OT at 4, and works mostly with drawing, writing, cutting, etc...

She loves little sorting animals and chopsticks at school ....like these.

We also utilize the free gym time at the local gymnastics studio, its a ton of fun, and really helps build her confidence!

Good luck :)

[LynnS6]

Our son had mild delays in this area. Things that worked well for him:

Scooter (we got him a 2 wheeled one at age 5-6; with a younger child I'd go with a 3 wheeled one to start)

A ride-on toy of some sort. My son's favorite toy was this little fisher price ride on; he also loved our neighbors little car. At 25 months, there's no way he could have pedaled, so being able to push with both feet firmly on the ground was crucial to his success.

Swinging -- swinging on a regular (not baby) swing really helped his core motor strength

A sit-n-spin was really appreciated.

Koosh balls

Bathtub squirter toys (really good for finger strength)

If I knew then what I know now about ds' motor problems, I would have added:

trampoline (like the one you're thinking of)

A balance board like this one