Play Therapist’s Holiday Gift Guide
As you approach your holiday shopping, here's a list of five toys Santa can bring that will support your child’s emotional, mental, and behavioral health.
Little Agenda, Wooden Visual Planner for Kids by Second Scout
This won’t receive the “oohs” and “ahhs” upon opening but I ensure that this will be something that your family cherishes long after the holiday. This visual agenda is great for helping kids stay organized and build their executive functioning skills. It can also be very helpful in managing anxiety related to transitions and changes in schedule.
Wheatgrass Creepy Crawly Garden
This insect-inspired wheatgrass garden is a great activity to stimulate your child’s creative thinking and self-efficacy as they watch something they create grow. This garden also builds your child’s responsibility and accountability as they tend and maintain the grass.
Rainbow Marble Tree
The rainbow marble tree is a soothing counter top toy. The marbles make a regulatory array of sound as they descend down. As a play therapist, I like to utilize the marble tree to support kids, especially during transitions. In session, I often utilize the tree to exit session. I notify the child it’s time to go and prompt the child to place 4 marbles down the tree before we exit. This could be a good tool to incorporate into bedtime routine and parents exiting the room.
Mindful Cards
There are so many ways these cards can be incorporated into the house. You could begin each morning reading one together, put a card in your child’s lunch box each day, beside the bed to read each night. These A-Z cards will introduce and inspire positive qualities and traits for children and parents too.
Bath Tablets
In my family, we love baths. The bath has always been a sanctuary for my children. Without anything additional, the warm water is a great therapeutic tool. It activates the part of your body responsible for relaxation. As your nervous system adjusts to the warming effect of the water around you, you begin to experience lowered levels of stress. Pair that will a few color drops and your children’s imagination can explore endless possibilities.
I am not affiliated with Oak and Ever nor do I receive any endorsement for this post.
Fostering wellbeing in children
bWELL Counseling specializes in mental health and integrative wellness services for children and their families. We’re focused on helping children overcome emotional and behavioral challenges, while equipping their parents to confidently connect with and support them.