Tried and Tested

Gifts ideas that also sneak in a 
developmental/educational slant...


Art materials for chubby little fingers
Melissa and Doug (widely available) make fabulous paintbrushes with chunky, easy to hold handles, easy to use finger paint pots and paper and chunky triangular crayons that are hard to break and don't roll onto the floor!
Or crayon rocks, available from www.fledglings.org.uk who sell an amazing range of toys, clothing, bedding and other products specifically designed for children and teens with learning disabilities.

Tumble Tortoise
A pull along/ roll along toy like no other! Tumbling beads catch children's attention, make them track, want to reach, crawl and later walk and pull along.  The ultimate motivational toy.  Sadly Early Learning Centre have discontinued it, but many new ones are still available on eBay.


Anything by Amazing Baby  
This series of books and flash cards feature visually attractive images that are easier to see for all babies and children who find it harder to focus.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazing-Baby-Black-Emma-Dodd/dp/1904513794/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322514689&sr=1-5


Black and white books and soft toys by Social Baby
Babies of all ages love clear black and white images, but they are so much more important for children with a learning disability to develop focus, engage their attention and develop an early love of sharing books.
Social Baby Shop

A Makaton book or DVD
such as My First Makaton Symbols book
http://www.singinghands.co.uk/cart/product/my_first_makaton_symbols_and_signs/
The lovely Dave Benson Phillips Nursury Rhyme DVD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Makaton-Nursery-Rhymes-DVD/dp/B000IHZ4FG
Anything by the incredible Singing Hands ladies
http://www.singinghands.co.uk/
Or anything featuring the inimitable Mr Tumble!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Special-Out-About-DVD/dp/B003FSSLX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322564853&sr=8-1


A talking photo album
There are several on the market, I think VTech do one. You can put photos of the family in it and record them saying their names.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tomy-Discovery-Forget-Photo-Album/dp/B0019RC632/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0

A book from the POPS or Jolly Phonics series
http://www.popsresources.com/
http://jollylearning.co.uk/shop/




A lava lamp
Calming and helps improve focus. 
This one is large and heavy, so make sure it is placed somewhere safe!
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4323927.htm


Disco Bead bedroom mobile
Beautiful mobiles made to your specifications with pearlescent beads that shine like cat's eyes. Great for focus, tracking and sensory stimulation.
Contact them to discuss your needs as they focus mainly on funky jewellery.
http://www.discobeads.com/buy-glowing-beads/


Wishbone 3-in-1 wooden balance trike/bike
This is a very exciting product and took me 2 years to find.  It's worth the price (about £140), as it starts as a very small balance trike, low enough for little legs.  At the same time the trike offers stability that no balance bike can offer.  When your child grows you can raise the seat, then flip the frame, remove a wheel and it becomes the largest balance bike on the market.  Will last years and is beautifully made.


The smile says it all!
The wonderful people at Wishbone Design have said that any Downs Side Up followers can have a very significant 20% off their bikes.  Simple enter the discount code downssideup20 at the checkout at

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