Here at The Dyslexia Shop, our warehouse is packed with learning tools to help children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. However, while these tools are a vital part of the educational journey, we always learn best when we’re having fun and learning through play can often be a wonderful way for children to build their skills, knowledge and confidence.
This is especially true for youngsters with dyspraxia, and the Toyi toys range can help your child embrace their creative potential. In this latest blog, we thought we would take a closer look at dyspraxia, the importance of learning through play and how Toyi products could help.
Understanding dyspraxia and its impact on learning Dyspraxia, or developmental co-ordination disorder, is a neurological condition that affects an individual’s coordination, planning, and motor skills. Children with dyspraxia can often have difficulty performing tasks that involve those skills, such as tying shoelaces, using cutlery or writing.
These struggles can often extend into academic settings, where traditional learning methods can amplify their challenges. Tasks such as copying from the board, organising schoolwork or following multiple instructions can prove extremely difficult, leading to feelings of frustration and being overwhelmed. The longer this goes on, the more demotivated and stressed students become.
How learning through play can help
We all learn in different ways, and play can be a fantastic tool for teaching new ideas and developing skills. When children are having fun, it doesn’t feel like education, and the more playful the activities are, the more they are able to explore and experiment in an environment that feels natural to them. This helps to promote cognitive, social and physical development without the pressure of more traditional educational solutions.
Activities like role-playing, storytelling and construction games undertaken in a low-stress environment can provide a wide range of benefits, including:
1) Improved coordination and motor skills
Play-based activities and games can be very effective in helping students improve their fine and gross motor skills. Whether it’s building blogs, using playdough or engaging in arts and crafts, children will be strengthening their hand muscles and improving their overall dexterity.
2) Enhanced cognitive and social skills
Play is also a powerful tool for cognitive development. Games involving matching, sorting or sequencing allow children to practice essential cognitive functions such as memory, attention and categorising. Group play also provides a great opportunity to practice crucial skills such as communication, sharing and taking turns.
3) Reduce anxiety
Traditional learning methods can often make children with dyspraxia feel inadequate or discouraged. Learning through play encourages a more relaxed atmosphere where mistakes do not matter. This helps to reduce anxiety and increase a student’s motivation to participate.
Are there any challenges to learning through play?
While there is no denying the benefits that learning through play can provide, especially for those children with dyspraxia, it is important to recognise there are some potential challenges. Some students with dyspraxia may have sensory sensitivities or become easily overwhelmed, and noisy environments or complex instructions may add to their distress.
To reduce these challenges, parents and educators should watch how each child responds to different activities. This will allow them to adjust as needed by simplifying tasks or breaking the activities down into smaller steps. It can also be advisable to incorporate sensory breaks or quiet time if the child becomes particularly overstimulated.
Some other top tips for parents and educators include:
1) Creating an inclusive environment
Set up a play area that is safe, calm and free from distractions. Providing a variety of toys and tools that cater to different skill levels and encourage exploration can support children.
2) Use assistive tools
Certain tools can make play-based learning more effective; for example, weight toys or fidget tools help to increase focus, while sensory bins can provide a calming experience.
3) Incorporating play into daily routines
Play-based learning doesn’t have to be limited to certain times. Encouraging children to participate in games throughout the day can provide a chance for skill development in more natural settings.
How the Toyi toys range can help
Now we’ve explored the benefits of learning through play, let’s turn our attention to some of the fantastic games we have here at The Dyslexia Shop. The Toyi brand is on a mission to ensure that every child can maximise their creative potential when growing, offering them a chance to embrace unstructured play experiences through high-quality toys and games.
We’re big fans of their work and have seen first-hand the fantastic benefits these toys can provide children, especially those with dyspraxia. That’s why we stock a huge range of their products, from entry-level options such as the Toyi Basic 20 Building Kit, which empowers kids to engineer their own plaything, to the top-of-the-range Toyi Storytelling Event Kit, which lets tale tellers choose from over 620 play pieces to create their adventure.
The best bit about the Toyi collection is they really do have something for children of all ages, and they cater for a huge range of interests. Check out the full range of products here, and get in touch with our team if you would like to learn more about how we can help your child or students.