Sugar Chute

Product Description

Cognitive 4

Skills

• The ball drop is full of cause and effect learning fun; turn the lever and a ball is released.
• A child’s problem solving skills are tapped into when they discover they need to turn or press a lever to dispense a ball, and then lift the small door to retrieve it.
• Sequential thought process is incorporated into play. This toy has a four-step sequence to successfully activate: insert balls on top, press or turn a lever, open the door and retrieve the ball. 

Play Ideas

• Count the balls as you put them into the machine and as they come out.
• Match and group the balls. There are four balls that have a printed pattern, four that are solid and four that have a clear half to view a smaller ball rattling inside.
• Make believe the balls are real “gumballs” and pretend to share and eat them.

Adaptation Ideas

• Limit the number of balls presented to a child. Gradually increase that number as his ability and frustration levels permit.
• Provide a verbal cue to remind a child how to release a ball.
• The Sugar Chute is repetitive in nature, which can be stimulating to some children with special needs. Use this as a motivator or reward for other non-preferred activities that you are soliciting from the child.

Sensory 3

Skills

• Encourage midline play by having a child hold one ball in each hand and bang them together.
• Using the colors on the balls can encourage color identification.
• Make noises such as, “vrrooom,” and “weeee,” as a ball rolls down to encourage imitation of vocalizations.      

Play Ideas

• For a child with visual impairments, shake one of the rattling balls, and have them to use their listening skills, to locate it.

Adaptation Ideas

• The Sugar Chute is repetitive in nature, which can be stimulating to some children with special needs. Use this as a motivator or reward for other non-preferred activities that you are soliciting from the child.
• Use the machine in the lid of a box to help keep all pieces within reach and easily accessed.

Physical 3

Skills

• Arm extension and reaching is encouraged as children place the balls in the top of the machine and retrieve them at the bottom of the machine.
• Finger and hand grasp is encouraged as children hold the balls in their hands.
• Fine motor movements are used to activate the levers and open the door.

Play Ideas

• Allow the ball to roll away from the child to encourage crawling or walking.
• How many balls can you hold at once?  Have the child hold more than one ball in his hands.
• Roll balls back and forth with a friend.

Adaptation Ideas

• Use hand-over-hand assistance for the child to activate the levers and release the balls.
• Place non-skid shelf liner under the machine to help stabilize it for play.
• Use the machine in the lid of a box to help keep all pieces within reach and easily accessed.