AblePlay Blog

Science in the World Around Us

Posted on July 22, 2015

If you look at the world around you, you will see that science is literally EVERYWHERE. But it’s not just you. Through exploring, questioning and wondering, kids learn and satisfy their natural curiosity, which is why kids ask so many questions! When a baby takes his first glimpse at the bright world, his senses are stimulated by the environment around him. Through touch, sight, taste, smell and sound he is discovering how the world works.

Fun Along the Way to Adulthood

Posted on July 22, 2015

Whether a child puts on a white coat to give her dolls a wellness check or uses an old briefcase to hold all his "important" coloring books, being a grown up looks mighty fun to little ones. Pretend play teaches kids beginning life skills and feeds their imagination. Source: Parenting Special Needs, July/August, 2015

New AblePlay for You Today:

Posted on July 17, 2015

With a new philosophy—that toys and play are for kids of all abilities—comes a new price! We have restructured our AblePlay pricing to better serve the toy industry, and in turn help retailers and consumers when selecting toys. AblePlay evaluations provide unparalleled information about products to help children of all abilities reach milestones through toys and play. Here is what our price restructure means for a toy manufacturer:

Healthy Solutions for Focus & Fuel

Posted on July 8, 2015

We applaud inventive companies that are coming up with innovative and fun ways for kids to lead healthier, more productive lives. This article will explore creative product approaches for fiddling fingers, active feet and festive foods.
Source: Parenting Special Needs, May/June, 2015

InCARceration

Posted on July 8, 2015

Spring break and the onset of summer prompts families to pack up the car, roll down the windows and take a road trip adventure. Many families plan vacations to help kids learn about new places and gain new experiences. The great news is that the destination travel time can be packed full of learning opportunities too. Source: Parenting Special Needs, March/April, 2015

Digital Dialogues

Posted on July 8, 2015

Word-of-mouth is simply stated—when someone shares something interesting with another person.  Today word of mouth is intrinsically linked to social media and digital dialogues. 

There are certain communities that have embraced word-of-mouth platforms early in their evolution for various reasons. One such community was families of children with special needs. What social media is so incredibly adept at doing is linking a group together regardless of geography.

The reason this platform is so perfect for families of kids with special needs is that they have unique concerns and an online platform gives them a unique opportunity to find a broader knowledge-base for solutions to the challenges they face.

Those same parameters apply equally well to specialty store retailers. Yes, you are unique! As small business owners with a sense of community, you are in essence more than a retailer, you are a resource. And the most imperative thing you can do to support the community you are a part of is to SHARE. Sharing is where word-of-mouth along with the entire gamut of social media opportunities come into play.

A Day of Play the Literacy Way

Posted on July 8, 2015

A child’s path to literacy expands from simple sound and letter recognition to the ability to read and write. One of the easiest ways to set a child on a positive path to literacy is to make reading fun and encourage a love of stories. Play is a way to make literacy come alive for kids. By using books as a vehicle to inspire a day of play, literature leaps off the page. When children act out a story after reading and find things that they can relate to the tale, they experience the written words in a much deeper and more impactful way. So here are some ideas to bring children’s books off the shelves and into the minds and imaginations of kids for a special day of literacy play:

Super Summer FUN!: Top 10 Toys for Summer

Posted on June 22, 2015

Summer is a time for sunshine and laughter—when “kids can be kids” through play and TOYS!  Here are a few play products just right for the season encouraging kids to explore and expand their bodies and minds:

Family on drum set

Time to Focus on CAN, Not Can't

Posted on May 6, 2015

We are excited to announce a positive change in our philosophy and language here at AblePlay. Through our AblePlay evaluations over the years, we have received feedback from companies (and consumers) that, like children, the “special needs” tagline we utilized for our AblePlay seal can sometimes typecast a product as only for a certain group. With our new website comes a new tagline and philosophy, positioning the products AblePlay has reviewed as appropriate for children of “all abilities!”

Learning Not Limited to Classrooms

Posted on February 13, 2015

As summer winds down, and the buzz in the air shifts from cicadas to grumbles about school, there are a few things to help get kids ready. Fun and games don’t have to end because school is around the bend.

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