Special Needs Applications - Key Features and Benefits

Cognitive:

Realistic looking play food helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract "things".

-Enables a child to practice sequencing the steps to make a sandwich. This can help children process what needs to happen and in what order.

-Many pieces in each set so children can incorporate counting and repetition into play.

Communicative:

Realistic-looking play food helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play.

-Enough food in each set that children can begin parallel play playing with the same item next to each other, but not interacting and then cooperative play as skills develop.

-Encourages full sentences by asking for items using descriptive words

-Realistic food enables children to learn to recognize real items in a store, restaurant or at home.

Physical:

-Encourage a child who may have a weaker side to use both hands and arms in play.

-Food in the basket encourages children to bring their arm up and reach into the basket to retrieve a food item promoting range of motion in the arms.

Sensory:

-Distinct texture adds to realism and aids children with visual impairments.