March 2011 New Specialty Toys — Special Needs

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line's NEW Racin' Rody Horse is a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hoping on their Racin' Rody or to do Racin' Rody Races! Also used for therapy with special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of heavy duty, latex-free vinyl. Inflates according to size and weight of the child (inflation by adult). Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Racin' Rody. Launch date: February 2011.

12 full-color double sided activity work cards provide individual and group practice at 4 levels of difficulty. The Work Cards help students transition their understanding of halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, and ninths into Real World Applications. Comes in a folder that opens to a series of Fraction Number Lines. Self-checking for use at a center. "The focus is on Real World Application and helps students transition from concept to daily life," Bruce Brown, president of World Class Learning Materials, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.

The KWID Learning Watch teaches kids to read digital and analog time by displaying them together so kids can connect the two. The KWID also teaches time management skills, thanks to a digital hourglass timer that is great for tracking privileges, chores, tooth brushing time and more. When the digital hourglass empties, a song plays and a cute animation pops up. In addition, kids can control the playing of five different entertaining animations when they push the “kid” button that is just for them. Launch date: September 2012.

The Kid’Sleep Classic has many benefits, as a night light and sleep teacher for young children and an alarm clock for older children. It helps young children have an understanding of when it is time to get out of bed and when it is not. It is a great tool for nighttime self regulation, and the result is that both parents and children get more sleep. The Kid’Sleep Classic helps kids stay in bed until it is time to get up. If the sleeping animal is lit, kids know to stay in bed. When the awake animal is illuminated, it is okay to get out of bed and start the day. Kids naturally relate to the sleeping or awake animal. Color recognition is not required. The Kid’Sleep Classic has dual nighttime/naptime settings and an optional alarm (which is a very sweet bird chirping sound followed by a rooster crowing), in addition to three levels of brightness. The Kid’Sleep Classic comes in blue (bunny) or pink (cow). Launch date: September 2009.
Awards: 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved

The Drum Therapy® Kit, designed to help autistic and special needs children and adults develop retention, coordination, self-esteem, fine motor skill, sensory integration, social skills, and physical and cognitive functioning, can also help children get better grades in school, and make homework much easier. "[Used by] Doctors, School Systems, and Therapists throughout the world," Pat Gesualdo, President/CEO of DAD, told TDmonthly.

Between a Roc and a Hard Place is the story of a young dragon named Tephra, who is abandoned as an egg and is subsequently adopted and raised by a family of giant birds (Rocs). Through trial and error, Tephra and her family members learn along the way what being a family really means. The story explores intricacies of adoption, especially interracial adoptions, all without ever mentioning the word ‘adoption.’ Author Danny Birt has an MA degree in music therapy, and has worked with children who have special needs.
Awards: 2010 National Parenting Center Children's Books award