Toybank- Enabling futures through play

We have all grown up playing with different toys that made our childhood memorable. But what we don’t realize is that toys didn’t just make our childhood fun, they also helped us develop and achieve our milestones. But not everyone is privileged enough to afford new toys for every milestone. And some children with special needs require toys that cater to those needs. Toybank has come up with solutions that help children with developmental disabilities achieve their milestones at their speed.  

In this article, we will be discussing the importance of toys in the developmental stages of a child, how toys help children with special needs as well as about Toybank.  

IMPORTANCE OF TOYS IN A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT: 

Several research suggests that children can start benefiting from toys when they are merely one month old. A child begins to learn from its surroundings at around the same age. So, toys aren’t just to distract kids but they help them grow. Here’s how toys serve as important tools for a child’s development: 

Age 1-12 months old: 

In this age group, a child gets introduced to hand-eye coordination and thus toys which are interactive are used. Sensory play toys are used for a child’s senses to stimulate. Problem solving toys are also introduced to a child at this age so that they can learn ‘cause and effect’. Toys like blocks, toys with light and sounds, crawl around centres are introduced to stimulate the senses of a child.  

Age 12-24 months: 

This is the age when the child starts to walk or crawl around more. Thus, introducing toys that will help children with their balance becomes essential to fuel their curiosity about mobility. Appropriate toys can help develop their recognition skills. Toys like walkers, push cars, themed books or toys can help the children achieve their milestones. 

Age 2+ years: 

After the age of 2 years, a child usually becomes more active and introducing certain type of toys like a bike (with all safety of course), books or games that catalyse their motor and literacy skills. Toys like a tricycle, basketball, drawing materials, see and say books, building blocks etc can increase their skills quickly.  

IMPORTANCE OF TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: 

Children with special needs can also benefit from toys. It can help support the difficulties a child with special needs might be facing. Let’s say for instance a child is visually impaired, toys can help strengthen the child’s other senses and become independent.  

Children with ADHD usually are not very social. But several times they respond to toys and it helps stimulate their imagination. It can also give the children a chance to express themselves freely.  

With every child, experimenting with various senses is a key. It will not only be enjoyable for a child but also will strengthen their learning abilities.  

Children with special needs can benefit from sensory play in the following ways: 

• Improved social skills 
• Cognitive development 
• Physical strengthening 
• Increased self-awareness 
• Communication skills 
• Development in emotions 

TOYBANK 

Toybank is an organisation that believes in investing in early-childhood development programs for the mental development of children at-risk. The early-childhood programs ensure that the children with special needs get a better nurturing. 

They have developed several initiatives and programs keeping in mind the mental growth and behavioural patterns of the children with special needs or at-risk children in an age which will shape their life. 

Toybank collaborates with various organisations and institutions in both urban and rural India and helps set up play centres there. They conduct workshops, educational play sessions and team building activities by using toys and board games.  

They envision a world where every child is empowered by using healthy play.  

Their process: 

When they set up a new centre, they start off by taking distribution sessions. Here, they play games that serve as ice-breakers and also identify the needs of the children. These games are very interactive and exciting and include activities like magic shows, clown performing and so on.  

After partnering with organisations, they set up play centres where children can play. Before conducting the sessions, team members of Toybank visit the organisation and assess the needs of the children. After assessment, they carefully pick games and toys that would benefit the children at a maximum level.  

They also replace those games regularly keeping in mind the wear and tear the toys might go through. They conduct play sessions two times a month.  

They also conduct youth sensitization seminars to spread awareness about the issue amongst the youth. They have reached over 5000 youth through their sessions.  

Through their play centres, Toybank creates impact on over 56,000 children daily and they’ve set up over 460 play centres. They’ve also reached over 65,000 children through their distribution sessions.  

Conclusion: 

One wouldn’t think that simple things like toys would have such a high impact on children and their development, especially on children with special needs. Toybank’s vision where every child gets empowered through educational play is the real future. This model helps detect any disability at an early age as well as help children with special needs become independent. If you want to get in touch with Toybank, you can call on +91 8080868235 for any inquires.