Did you know that toys are such an integral part of growing up? Play is how children learn and making it fun is nature’s way of ensuring children get lots and lots of practice. Even tiny babies play, practising moving their hands or sucking their toes which helps them learn to control their bodies. The games children play are directly linked to the needs of the growing body and mind. Children’s play has been closely studied by child psychologists who have catalogued the pattern of development of skills and abilities from birth.
Operating since 1986, the Bundaberg Toy Library has been providing specialised disability equipment and developmental appropriate toys for children with special needs in our community. Since then it has grown to include thousands of quality toys to expose children to a greater range of play experiences that contribute to children’s development. Not only does it cater for special needs children, it has expanded its offering to accommodate every child at their level of growth and development. It also supports schools with age appropriate toys and learning resources. In fact, many schools in the area access these resources to help their students to improve their learning outcomes.
The Toy Library works just that same as a normal library. You can borrow a number of toys and resources for a few weeks and then return them and borrow new ones. This enables children to experience a variety of different learning experiences and play that will challenge them, excite them and help their development no matter what stage they are at. It’s also a great place to get to know other parents in the local community.
Some of the most popular toys are the water play equipment, particularly during the hotter parts of the year, rollercoasters and social play items such as mowers, kitchens and vacuum cleaners. There is also a great range of disability specific equipment and adaptive toys available such as:
Some of the most popular toys are the water play equipment, particularly during the hotter parts of the year, rollercoasters and social play items such as mowers, kitchens and vacuum cleaners. There is also a great range of disability specific equipment and adaptive toys available such as:
Walking frames –
Crocodile walker, Kaye walker, Rifton pacer
Modified bikes –
adaptive bikes for children with additional needs
Wheelchairs –
Beach, Electric, Stroller & Hippocampe
Seating & positioning equipment –
Jenx, Kelly, Lecky, Tilt chairs and Hokki stools
Switch adapted toys –
Stuffed animals, Light and Sound, Jelly switches
Communication devices –
Go talk, BoardMaker, Laptop Communicator, Step by step communicator
There are a number of different memberships available for individuals, or organizations/schools.
You can find out more by visiting the website here, or contact us on:
Phone: (07) 4153 2909
Email: bundytoylibrary@ymca.org.au