(OT) Ideas, please, re toys and activities

[Guest guest]

Since Henry is an only child and I never was a boy I get stumped often when it

comes to choosing new toys for him. We are trying to find new things for him to

do independently. Left in front of a favourite DVD (even if he's just chosen it)

he will shout and screm at moments he likes and every minute or so he will also

stim with marbles in the kitchen sink, run up and down stairs tapping the

banisters,adding in a shout when he feels like it. He may occasionally run into

the dining room and bang on the piano for a bit. While, obviously, things are

going on to help him play more appropriately eg piano playing, watching TV

without screaming, support with computer games and on-line learning eg Jigworks,

Headsprout, also lots of trips to the park and soon, he has an indoor rebounder,

a large trampoline utise and a swing, I am desperaste to find him more things to

do that don't involve screamimh and running off.

The lines we are thinking along include:

·chasing mouse game/enclosed marble games

·Reading Books (he's an early reader - can decode simple sentences.)

·Writing/Tracing (he's not interested in drawing or art)

·Puzzles - about 16 pieces

·Computer games-car racing games, NINTENDO?etc. Other?

·DVD's- new ones!(At the moment his favourites are the Wiggles, the Blues

Brothers,First 20 minutes of the Sound of Music, the Transporters, Stuart Little

2, Father Christmas, the Snowman, anything Wallis and Gromit.)

·Listening to music/stories (with headphones)-buy CD player and headphones. We

would need to record these, I guess.

·Construction toys? (These have NEVER been a success before)

·Sorting?

·Magnetic board with words/letters-buy

·a range of remote control cars (must be sturdy)Any ideas re models and brands?

·Train set (he has, but stims with it)

·Teach him to use DVD and TV independently once biting and yelling has subsided

Anything else?

I have looked at a couple of largish toy departments and on-line and it's hard

to find anything much suitable for him. Does anyone have any recommended toys or

other suggestions? It would be helpful if I could know where to buy them, new or

second-hand. I was thinking Scalectrix could be good but it's extremely

expensive and wondered about buying it second hand - not sure if it's a good

idea as I need toys that work 100%.

To be quite honest, what he really needs is an adult playing and working with

him 16 hours a day. And an income of about £100k a year to buy everything...

Please e-mail me direct with any suggestions if you prefer.

Thanks,

Margaret