When choosing toys and games for children with hydrocephalus or spina bifida, it is important to consider not only what will provide enjoyment, but whether the toy will also help all round development.

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info@shinecharity.org.uk
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Developing Skills Through Toys
When choosing toys and games such skills and could help in the
for children with hydrocephalus early years.
or spina bifida, it is important to
consider not only what will provide It must be stressed, that to gain
enjoyment, but whether the toy will the maximum play and learning
also help all round development. value from these toys and games,
adult supervision and guidance,
There are aspects of play with reinforced by talking to the child
toys or games which can be used about what he/she is doing while
positively for specific learning: playing, will help the child with
to develop concentration; to concentration and meaningful play.
emphasise sequencing (putting
events or thought processes in All areas of play and development
step-by-step logical order); memory overlap, especially with a young
training; perception (size and child, where movement, hearing,
shape); manipulation (the use of seeing and thinking are all closely
hand and fingers) and coordination linked and vitally dependent on
(especially hand/eye co-ordination). each other. Bearing this in mind,
Some of these are the specific although the following toys and
learning difficulties that have now games have been grouped for
been highlighted as problems specific learning skills, there will be
associated with hydrocephalus. other benefits:
There are many good pre-school Mobiles: encourage eye focus
toys and games on the market and movement, leading to reaching
which cover the development of out.

2. Developing Skills Through Toys
Baby gym: encourages eye focus NB Toys containing magnets are
and reaching out and hand/eye not recommended for children with
co-ordination, as well as being a programmable (adjustable) shunts.
reward toy.
The next stage may be mosaics,
Pop-up toys: (progressing to peg boards, picture templates,
hammer balls) encourage hand/eye stencil sets, Etcha sketch, Magna
co-ordination. doodle, paint by numbers and
board games. These help thought
Posting boxes: involve recognition processes, sequencing, logic,
and matching of shapes. Hand and memory, prereading, writing and
finger control are required to post number work.
shapes.
Computerised games: handheld
Picture dominoes and lottos: games and games consoles, will
require matching of shapes, hand/ help with dexterity and hand/eye
finger and direction activity. Help in coordination. It is very easy to leave
learning to take ‘turns’. a child to play with these games
but a computer cannot take the
Finger paints and puppets: place of a parent’s involvement and
encourage hand and finger play. time with Game Boys etc should
be limited.
Play Doh, modelling materials:
materials to develop the feeling of To help the child’s gross motor
different textures. skills encourage hopping, skipping,
balancing, bouncing (eg Space
Building and construction kits: Hopper, trampoline), running and
excellent for hand and finger training jumping.
as well as for learning the position
of objects in space and turning 2D Children will also enjoy using
pictures into 3D objects. These will scooters, ride-on toys and bicycles.
include: Lego, stickle bricks, Duplo, The child with hydrocephalus may
Popoids, Kinex, Meccano. need stabilisers on his/her bike

3. well after his/her peer group have
dispensed with theirs. Further Information
Imaginative play should be Early Learning Centres sell many
encouraged, although it does not of the types of toys mentioned
always come easily to children with in this leaflet. You can order a
hydrocephalus. However, most will catalogue from them on 0871 231
enjoy using prams, toy kitchens, 3513 or visit their website at
toy cars and garages, dolls, etc. It is www.elc.co.uk
amazing how easy it is to construct
a ‘house’ or ‘tent’ using two chairs
and a sheet!
Toys do not need to be expensive
- explore the charity shops and
look in your cupboards - pots and
pans, plastic colanders, empty
plastic bottles (fill with rice or lentils
to make ‘music’), wooden spoons,
sheets and towels will give hours of
play.
Imagination costs nothing!

4. Help us
Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients
who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus, spina
bifida, their families and carers. To donate to Shine please visit
www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329.
This information has been produced by Shine’s medical advisers and
approved by Shine’s Medical Advisory Committee of senior medical
professionals.
Shine - Registered charity no.249338
To see our full range of information sheets and to find out how to donate
to Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk