We are going to a birthday party this weekend. This family is related to my foster son that we will be adopting this fall, in fact, they helped place him with us, since we have his sister. I don't know them well, and the birthday boy is a Down's child turning two. I want a really special gift. Any ideas? What's the cutest birthday present your child has received?
Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm going to the store now, and I'm going to take the advice and compound it: I'm going to get interactive books!! I think your ideas were wonderful, and some I really liked, but did not have the time to get them ordered.
For those who gently chided me, reminding me that a 'child with Down syndrome' is still a child, I wanted to say I never thought less. However, as a grandmother of an 11 year old girl with CP, and as a foster mother of several children over the years with disabilities, I know that there are some things that are more appropriate for a handicapped child, and just as you would not give my granddaughter a jump rope for a present, there are gifts that are not appropriate at all!
Anyway, thanks again!
Hi! A child with Down's Syndrome likes everything a "typical" child likes. In fact, they are extremely social! Also, when referring to children with Down's syndrome, we also like to say "child with Down's Syndrome" and not "Down's Syndrome child" - they are a child, first and foremost. Hope this helps!
You can never go wrong with an assortment of books. I love the Dr. Seuss books My Book About Me, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are, and Oh The Places You'll Go. My niece is a special needs child too and she just loves her books!
Blocks! Blocks! Blocks!
My son received blocks when he was two and still plays with them today. I'm sure a Down's Syndrome child would really do well with blocks.
ToysRUs sells a set in a box that has alphabet letters on them.
As the mom of a child who has developmental delays, I say think about the child's interests rather than his label. Kids who have Down Syndrome are more like other kids than they are different, and almost all 2 year-olds like things that make noise or light up or both! Toys that have tiny little controls are often difficult for kids with Down Syndrome to operate, so look for things with big buttons or switches. Anything that allows them to build or experience a "cause-effect" relationship is great. My daughter has always loved the musical books; the books that have pictures for the child to press at various times during the story in order to heard a sound or a song. Just use your own judgment and experience; you'll come up with something great!
Geri
My sister sales interactive toys she makes that are a hit with special needs and autistic children. I know you need it for this weekend, she may be able to deliver one for a small fee or you can pick one up. Here is her shop, she has excellent feedback.
I dont know a good present but I just wanted to say good job.Man you are an amazing person.Nine children i cant imagine.That is absoultly amazing.All I can say is go you!Keep it up the world would be a better place with more people like you.God Bless you!!!!!
Hi... I have a daughter with Down syndrome, and she will be 3 this month. I would say that you can't go wrong with shape sorters, musical toys or any kind of cause and effect toys. These kinds of things not only offer hours of entertainment, but can ALWAYS be helpful during different therapies. They all require the practice of different skills in addition to just being fun and exciting. My daughter also really loved the Signing Time videos she got for her 2nd birthday, and immediately started using the signs...which helped a great deal in communicating her needs/wants. (See www.signingtime.com) They are great. She also loved the ride-on toys...but you would need to be sure that this little boy is physically ready for that. Oh...and, of course, musical CDs for the car are GREAT! You know, the ones with fun kid songs. It never hurts any child to hear Itsy Bitsy Spider over and over and over again! :) Anyway, GOOD LUCK...I hope I have helped.
i'm a pediatric occupational therapist and i'd say buy something that can entertain and educate. you'd have to know his level of ability but generally there'd be a delay of AT LEAST 6mos so i'd get stuff that's musical and lights up, shape sorters, large legos or other items to push/pull apart to assist in his fine motor development, an 8 inch ball to play w/ and develop catch/throw, etc... hope that helps!
Here are some of the coolest presents my kids ever received. They may seem strange, but they inspired creativity and were useful for years!
(1) pack of 24 rubber balls (about 3-4" in diameter) and a mailing tube to roll them through
(2) two balls of yarn
(3) wardrobe box from U-Haul
(4) set of rubber ducks
I also once took an old set of boxes from dinner place settings and wrapped them in white butcher paper. We could stack them, stand on them, draw on them, everything!
The Learning Express has some great toys for kids of all abilities. I really like the selection of sensory toys they have their staff would be able to help you find the perfect toy.
Hope that helps
A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com
Keeping in mind that all though the child has Downs Syndrome, they are still a child who will enjoy all that is around them. But by the same token, developmentally, anything that the child can maniputlate, or makes a noise will be great as it will help stimulate some of the areas that are delayed within the child. There are cubes that form a picture(of your choice) that are great. They can be stacked or put together to make up the picture that was used. Reading tapes that will state the child's name as the story is read is another good gift idea.
Try kaplan.com
I have worked with children that have Down's syndrome and they are so precious. Congratulations
My son was given a music cd that repeated his name in every song. Even being a disabled child he can still recongize his name and I'm sure would enjoy the music. Just google personalized childrens cd and it should bring up multiple websites.
toys r us has a differently abled toy guide for kids with special needs. it comes out in the spring and fall. you can link to it off of the website. it looks like quite a few of the little people toys are good. i work with kids with developmental delays and we use TONS of little people for our activities.
I have a good friend with 2 Down's sons, ages 6 and 3. The advice she always offers her friends is to treat her sons the same way you would any other child and understand that they can do all of the same things that other children do but on a different timeline. It just takes them longer to develop. For 2 year olds they love to play with toys that go through something or hide into something like a train in a tunnel or a box with items inside. It's fascinating to them to see the train come out the other side of the tunnel or open the box and see what's inside, take things out and then put them back again.
it would all depend on the developmental level. I have worked with down syndrome children that are non verbal and MR and others that are almost age appropriate. I would say he probably likes anything that other 2 year olds would like. This time of the year, any outside water toy. there is a cute water sprinkler that is elmo.
