The Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor and Sensory Games: Using Every Child's Natural Love of Play to Enhance Key Skills and Promote Inclusion - Paperback

by Barbara Sher (Author)

Fun easy games for parents and teachers to play with kids of all ages

Play is increasingly recognized by neuroscientists and educators as a vital component in brain development, academic success and learning social skills. In this inspiring and useful resource, Barbara Sher provides step-by-step directions for how to use children's natural interests at different stages of their development to help them develop a wealth of sensory motor and social skills. All the games have also been designed to provide plenty of joyful opportunities for encouraging inclusion.

• Offers strategies for helping all kids, but especially those with special needs, to develop social, motor and sensory skills
• Filled with simple games using common materials that can be used by teachers, parents, and caregivers with both individual kids and groups
• Provides explanations and examples of how the games can aid in a child's development

This resource offers parents and teachers a fun and easy way to include all children in activities that will engage all of their senses and promote important skills.

Front Jacket

After decades of research, educators now know that play is how children learn. Science has proven that play is a vital component in brain development and that new neural connections are formed when children are playfully engaged.

In this inspiring and easy-to-follow resource, Barbara Sher offers techniques for promoting play in the domains of the senses--such as kinesthetic, visual, tactile, and auditory--as well as the emotional and social realms--awareness of others, sharing, turn taking, cooperative play, and reading social cues. Included are

• A plethora of fun and easy games that use commonly found materials, which can be played and enjoyed with an inclusive population so everyone is included in the fun.
• Multi-sensory games that stimulate brain development and foster the integration of the senses by enhancing motor, social, language, and cognitive skills.
• Ideas for parents, teachers, and counselors on extending play outside the learning environment--including potentially stressful moments, such as waiting or traveling.

The Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor, and Sensory Games presents a rich variety of play activities that enhance learning and development.

Praise forThe Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor, and Sensory Games

A treasure trove of fun activities that support development.

--Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, coauthor, Raising a Sensory Smart Child

Try these sensory games and rejoice in their many virtues! They are fun, easy, natural, adaptable, and oh, so helpful for getting kids 'in sync.'

--Carol Kranowitz, author, The Out-of-Sync Child and Growing an In-Sync Child

Everybody loves to play and everybody wants to be included. Those developing differently will be able to join in the game with peers while at the same time practicing key skills.

--Chantai Snellgrove, Founder/Editorial Director, Parenting Special Needs Magazine

Back Jacket

After decades of research, educators now know that play is how children learn. Science has proven that play is a vital component in brain development and that new neural connections are formed when children are playfully engaged.

In this inspiring and easy-to-follow resource, Barbara Sher offers techniques for promoting play in the domains of the senses--such as kinesthetic, visual, tactile, and auditory--as well as the emotional and social realms--awareness of others, sharing, turn taking, cooperative play, and reading social cues. Included are

• A plethora of fun and easy games that use commonly found materials, which can be played and enjoyed with an inclusive population so everyone is included in the fun.
• Multi-sensory games that stimulate brain development and foster the integration of the senses by enhancing motor, social, language, and cognitive skills.
• Ideas for parents, teachers, and counselors on extending play outside the learning environment--including potentially stressful moments, such as waiting or traveling.

The Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor, and Sensory Games presents a rich variety of play activities that enhance learning and development.

Praise forThe Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor, and Sensory Games

"A treasure trove of fun activities that support development."

--Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, coauthor, Raising a Sensory Smart Child

"Try these sensory games and rejoice in their many virtues! They are fun, easy, natural, adaptable, and oh, so helpful for getting kids 'in sync.'"

--Carol Kranowitz, author, The Out-of-Sync Child and Growing an In-Sync Child

"Everybody loves to play and everybody wants to be included. Those developing differently will be able to join in the game with peers while at the same time practicing key skills."

--Chantai Snellgrove, Founder/Editorial Director, Parenting Special Needs Magazine

Author Biography

Barbara Sher, M.A., O.T.R., has over 40 years of experience as a teacher and occupational therapist, specializing in pediatrics. She conducts workshops for parents, teachers, therapists, and children around the world and is the author of seven books, including Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders and Self-esteem Games: 300 Fun Activities That Make Children Feel Good about Themselves.