Play

Play is having fun, exploring, building, pretending, making things, playing games and discovering new things.

On this page

• Challenges for children with physical disability
• Play in practice
• Handouts
• For further information

Challenges for children with physical disability

To be able to enjoy and learn through play, children with disability often require help to overcome additional challenges. Novita staff have a great deal of experience in coming up with creative solutions that enable all children with disability to enjoy play. View the factsheet Play - Challenges and Solutions For Children With Physical Disability (PDF - 45Kb) 

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Play in practice

Learning is always easier if it is fun. Therapists think carefully about how new skills can be learned through play. Play can help children stay motivated and have fun while trying hard to manage what, for them, are sometimes difficult new tasks. Read about how skills can be learned though play:

 Jennifer's story

 Paul's story

Handouts

Please note: The following handouts may not be fully accessible for users of assistive technology. Please contact us if you require assistance.

•  Play for All - Constructive Play (PDF - 115kb)
•  Play for All - Early Play (PDF - 100kb)
•  Play for All - Imaginative Play (PDF - 110kb)
• Play for All - Outdoor Play (PDF - 202kb)
• Play for All - Technology (PDF - 192kb)

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For further information

• Contact your therapy team for more ideas and assistance with play.
• Go to the  Novita Toy and Resource Centre webpage to check the online catalogues for information about suitable toys and books with play activities that can be borrowed by children and their parents.
• Books to read for more ideas:
  • Pepper, J & Weitzman, E (2004). It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Language Delays (Third Edition) from the Hanen Centre, 252 Bloor Street West, Suite 3-390 Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1V5, Ph: (416) 921 1073, Fax (416) 921 1225, Go to the Hanen Centre website
  • Lear, R (1993). Play helps: Toys and activities for children with special needs. Butterworth/Heinemann, Oxford
  • Stagnetti, K (1998). Learn to play: A practical program to develop a child's play skills. Co-ordinates Publications, Victoria.

The above books may be obtained through the Novita Toy & Resource Centre. If you are registered with the Centre, you can borrow them by completing the on-line request form.

Disclaimer Detail: The above information on is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. Use of the information above is at your sole risk, and you should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. Novita Children's Services accepts no liability for any damages or loss that may arise from the use of, or any omission from, the information provided. In using this site, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of Use for the site.