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An educator's pick for kids
47
items Resources that support kids’ learning and everyday success.
Sections
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Autism-Friendly Sensory Tools That Help
Learn & Explore: Books, Printables & Early Skills Tools
Autism-Friendly Sensory Tools That Help
There’s no one-size-fits-all. These are a variety of tools that have supported different students in different ways.
A range of students have enjoyed these - best used during calm or structured activity times, not when a student is already agitated.
Liquid Motion Bubbler for Sensory Play, Fidget Toy
Several students enjoyed these. I like them also because they are small and economical. Some students will remove the legs, others like to remove the heart.
3D Teddy Bears w/ Spinning Heart
This ball helps when a student may be slightly agitated. Even if they can't figure out how to move the balls to the next circle, they enjoy moving the balls within the circle and the feel of it.
Rotating Bean Magic Cube Puzzle Fidget Toy
This can help redirect a student who wants to bite. They can bite this, or they can also grab it so it gives them something to do with hands as well when stressed. The one thing to watch for is, it is possible to bite through if the student really wa...
Sensory Toys for Kids - Motor Stimulation
This grabber/chewy is the best quality. I have not witnessed a student succeed in biting a piece off of it. Its also a nice size for grabbing for when a child needs a release.
ARK Therapeutic: Handheld Chews
These are loved by many students! They can build and stick the sucker toys together. They may just use a few and stick to a table. Some like to put in their mouth. However these are very versatile, easy storage and easy clean.
ODELA Genius Suckers 155Pcs Suction Toys
These are great because unlike basic sensory mats they are easy to clean. They are so versatile. You can put on tables or the floor.
Liquid Fusion Activity Play Centers for Children,
Of course all kids love these. Even kids who don't care to write or draw on paper. Easy to keep track of the water pen and very little mess.
Bluey Aqua Art - Reusable Water Reveal Activity
A classic STEM toy
Magnetic Tiles Toddler Building Blocks
Interactive puzzles with sound are always a fav. Once a student becomes familiar with it, I like to bring out a book of the same theme. Then I point to the same instruments as the student removes that instrument's puzzle piece so we can interact toge...
Musical Instruments Sound Puzzle
Interactive puzzles with sound are always a fav. Once a student becomes familiar with it, I like to bring out a book of the same theme. Then I point to the same vehicle as the student removes that instrument's puzzle piece so we can interact together...
Melissa & Doug Vehicles Sound Puzzle
Interactive puzzles with sound are always a fav. Once a student becomes familiar with it, I like to bring out a book of the same theme. Then I point to the same animal as the student removes that instrument's puzzle piece so we can interact together....
Melissa & Doug Zoo Pet Animals Sound Puzzle
Interactive puzzles with sound are always a fav. Once a student becomes familiar with it, I like to bring out a book of the same theme. Then I point to the same animals as the student removes that instrument's puzzle piece so we can interact together...
Zoo Animals Sound Puzzle
These are nice becuase of the accessories and they can dress the baby. Also easy to clean
Toy Choi Twin 12in Soft Body Black & White Dolls
Students enjoy this activity. I like this set because it does not have too many small pieces that are easy to lose.
Mocoosy Wooden Magnetic Dress Up Dolls Set
Students enjoy the versatility of magnetic dolls. This one is great becasue it is community helpers. The pieces are a good size so it is harder to lose track of them.
Wooden Magnetic Dress up Dolls Pretend Play Set
These are super great. They are easy to put on and stay on. Durable. The orange color make them easy to find in a hurry.
Kids Ear Protection Noise Cancelling Headphones
Super great for soothing and fun. Very popular.
14x14 Teal & Purple Reversible Sequin Pillow
The kids love these, I think it depends on how many kids and the class as to whether to offer them as toys. Do the kids put them in mouth, swing around? Are they hard to sanitize, keep clean and keep track of? Are they enriching? I admit they are not...
100 PCS Colorful Stretchy Fidget Strings Sensory
Super great to get the wiggles out or help when needing to sit. Also economical. They do need to be cleaned daily and kept track of since they are so small.
Mini Pop Fidget Toys
These are great for different ages, and it depends on the students. I don't care for the weird “puzzle” thing. I never observed students enjoying the football/basketball that seems more foam then squish. Different students like different items, so th...
24 Pack Fidget Toys for Adults
Learning, colors, numbers and manipulatives. For free play or for centers: with a book or use as a math manipulative for counting.
Ice Cream Learning Activities Counting & Sorting Set
I like these to help when students need help sitting still. They don't make noise and they aren't so small they get lost easy. Also great for the bus.
Transformable Fidget Spinners Stress Relief Toy
Classic for all students, the more Potato Heads the better!
Mr. Potato Head
an absolute favorite of the students. Helps with calming and also observation.
ArtCreativity Spinning Light Up Toy Wand
Learn & Explore: Books, Printables & Early Skills Tools
Everything in one place for hands-on learning. Books, printable activity packs, and the tools that make learning feel like play. This board pairs stories with activities and the right tools to go with them. No filler, just resources that actually get used.
This is hard to find, it is no longer published! I like it because language exposure before the age of 5 really builds into the ability to comprehend and speak languages later. “Inuit Tools uses easy-to-recognize illustrations of simple cultural item...
Inuit Tools (Inhabot Junior)
Similar to I love you to the moon and back but in a nurturing natural way. “As she waits for the arrival of her new baby, a mother-to-be gathers gifts to create a sacred bundle. A white feather, cedar and sage, a stone from the river…”Tasha Spillett ...
I Sang You Down from the Stars
I love this for babies born during winter season. "Dream a little, Kulu, this world now sings a most beautiful song of you." Thisbedtime poem, written by acclaimed Inuit throat singer Celina Kalluk, describes the gifts given to a newborn baby by all...
Sweetest Kulu
I just love the simple graphic illustrations that are real art. Also as a backyard birder, the bird theme. “Inuit artists in the Canadian territory of Nunavut share their art and printmaking.”
Owls and Loons
This is a great little rhyming board book. A range of students enjoyed this book. I like it because the penguins are larger clear photos for real life identification.
Penguins 123
BUMPY! It has a sensory feel to it. I also love it because of the dual language. Any language words learned when you are a child make it easier to learn a different language as an adult. Spanish has the same Latin root as French.
Books with Bumps: Counting / Contando (Spanish-English Bilingual)
Guided discovery book! It's fun because the little eye sparks curiosity and prediction. Also, it gives tactile engagement.
I Spy on the Farm
Not for babies. Best for kids/students preschool - 2nd grade. I like this because the bright graphics are backyard birds, some that are common in each micro-enviroment. Also, the range. So you can start with just naming the species and counting, or h...
Birding for Babies: Backyard Birds: A Numbers Book
Simple bold illustrations show the meaning quickly. Kids can predict. For older skill level learners, you can discuss this and have fun wondering what the outcome will be. (is it noodles or hair?) Younger skill level learners like this book only if they lov...
Before and After
Of course the text is for older students. But this is invaluable as a young learner resource because it is real life sounds. And they might recognize the songs when they are out and about. Use in conjunction with other simpler birding books.
Backyard Birdsong Guide Western N. America
A surprising sturdy pop up book! Also has push, pull, lift and slide! I love it becuase it is interactive and the graphics style as well.
Who's Playing in the Jungle?
I used this for learning centers. Students can read independently or you can read aloud. I like it because the apples are easy to count and the text holds student interest. I use this with manipulatives or number cards.
Ten Red Apples
Goes with any bird book to expand into a science unit. Easy PDF to download and print, so economical as well.
Bird Life Cycles | 12 Species Unit | Kindergarten First Grade Science Homeschool Printable
Who says learning the alphabet has to be boring? Meet 26 amazing birds — one for every letter — and turn handwriting practice into a nature adventure kids will actually want to do. From A to Z, each letter is paired with a fascinating bird species st...
Bird Alphabet Workbook | Tracing, Writing, Coloring
Home or school use. Kids all love routine and it makes it easier with a visual. Also they can help plan to make the connection between “time” as a concept and daily life.
Visual Schedule for Kids Daily Routine Chart
I like these to show students what emotions “look like”. We can practice with the mirror our own facial expressions.
Feelings Emotions Cards for Kids
I have used this book repeatedly to teach emotions by color. It is sometimes easier to associate a color to a feeling, because it is visually expressed. Search for Color Monster Free activity or use this one- https://childhood101.com/color-monster-emotions-activity/ I like it because its cut and paste. Of course you can introduce this book and activity with a YouTube video.
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions
This is one of my go tos for emotions. There are newer books but I like this because it may be more expressive and relatable with the animals and you can mimic the animal sounds also. Here is an educational sourced free printable to go with this book...csefel.vanderbilt.edu/booknook/many_colored_days.pdf
My Many Colored Days
Less frustrating for student use. Easier to learn with, grasp and build up hand muscles. Also safer.
Adaptive Design Colorful Handle Safety Scissors
One style of pencil grip to use with students. Students may prefer a certain style so I have a variety on this board.
Pencil Grips for Kids Handwriting Ergonomic
Another style pencil grip. Some students don't like to put their fingers inside a grip. These help hold onto the pencil.
ELETIUO 6-Pack Ergonomic Triangular Pencil Grips
Pencil grip that can also be used for other things. Keeps daily tasks simple and consistent.
Adaptive Pencil Utensils Grip