As a Lakeshore Learning blog ambassador, I get to sample products each month, providing my honest review of the materials. I have selected items with a special education classroom in mind.
Growing up in Far West Texas, it was a five-hour round trip to nearest toy store. It wasn’t until I left for college that I realized not everyone’s trip to the mall involved an all-day trek through fields of cows and tumbleweeds (literally, y’all).
Because of our far proximity to shopping centers, department store catalogs were often the closest my sister and I got to browsing the aisles of a toy store. I would spend hours flipping through those department store mailers, especially around the holidays.
When I got the Lakeshore Learning gift catalog in the mail last week, I was flooded with that same feeling of euphoric nostalgia. We all know how valuable Lakeshore Learning resources are in the classroom, but they have SO MANY award-winning, high-quality toys that are perfect for children’s gifts. They have so many educational toys that make wonderful gifts for children with special needs and learning disabilities! See all gift ideas here.
Click here for coupon code for 25% off any non-sale item.
Whether you are shopping for Christmas presents or holiday gifts for your children or grandchildren, these are a few of my favorite teacher-approved gift ideas for this holiday season:
Little engineers will have a blast with these mix-and-match monster trucks. The design combinations are endless! Snap the pieces together, pull back the truck, and watch it zoom off!
Teacher approved features: The oversized truck bodies are perfect for emerging fine motor skills.
This little guy is the perfect stocking stuffer! Measuring 2 ½” tall, this handheld fidget is easy to transport and keeps active fingers busy.
Teacher approved features: Occupational therapists often suggest using sensory toys and small fidgets to relieve stress and improve concentration. This Fidget Monster has 15 fun fidget features, including spinning, clicking, and flipping pieces.
Let’s Go Shopping! Cash Register
This talking register is a great way to practice math and language skills! It comes with 14 adorable props (including plastic mini food items, coins, and a little credit card) that children will love using for dramatic play!
Plus, any toy that doubles as its own storage is a win-win in my book!
Teacher approved features: The are four interactive learning settings to practice letter and number recognition, as well as basic math computation.
Geometry Light-Up Activity Center
My students have always enjoyed tangram puzzles! Watching the colorful pattern blocks transform into the different animals and vehicles is a magical sight! Not only does this carrying case store the small pieces, it is also a light that illuminates the translucent activity pages, bringing the shapes to life!
Teacher approved features: Children use essential math skills to identify shapes and colors. Practice fine motor and spatial awareness, as you assemble the small manipulatives to form the pictures.
This might be my favorite Lakeshore product I have ever owned! There are six hands-on experiments, including step-by-step instructions, ingredients, and supplies.
Teacher approved features: Learning to follow step-by-step instructions is such an important skill for little ones to master! The visual instruction cards make it easy for children to lead these engaging experiments.
So, whether you are looking to stock your classroom or stuff stockings at home, Lakeshore is the one-stop-shop that has it all! Grandparents wondering what to give their grandchildren for Christmas presents and birthday gifts, will find highly educational and high quality toys at Lakeshore Learners.
Remember to use this coupon code for 25% off any non-sale item.
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Ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people with special needs. It makes me happy to watch my students grow and progress with all their hard work. I truly believe I was put on this planet to work with these children.
If you’ve seen my posts recently, you may be thinking, “wow, Michaela sure has been posting a lot about her projects and activities! But why?”
Well, as a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom, I know how challenging it can be for my students to access the grade-level curriculum. Resources are limited and can require hours worth of accommodations and modifications.
The intention behind my TPT store is to provide teachers with adapted teaching materials that focus on the prerequisite skills needed to master grade-level standards and provide engaging, hands-on activities that make learning exciting and appropriate.
Thanks for such an awesome content.
Special need toys are the perfect way for parents to keep their little ones entertained while teaching them new skills like walking, counting, and writing. Always Ensure that toys are made from non-toxic materials