Christmas Presents Recommended by Therapists
- Kinetic sand or sand for its sensory benefits
- Kitchens and play food for the 3-8 year old crowd because pretend play is key to kids’ development.
- Art supplies for little and big ones. Paint, play-doh, sketch books, pottery kits or anything to stimulate design and creation. Great for building attentional skills and focus.
- Board games or card games are fun for all ages. Jenga, Connect Four, Uno or anything that promotes frustration tolerance (losing!), following directions, and rules. Cooperative games like Hoot Owl Hoot or Pictionary encourage team work. Board games teach kids to communicate and negotiate. Monopoly helps kids learn to count, take turns and build frustration tolerance when someone lands on the property you want!
- Cash register for practising math skills.
- Foam swords or pool noodles for rough and tumble play without injuries.
- Musical instruments or karaoke machines! Make some noise, stimulate performance and creative musical exploration.
- Costumes and dress ups nurture imagination and role play.
- Lego! Anything Lego to foster fine motor skills and a sense of accomplishment. In fact, anything that is construction based builds fine motor and problem solving skills.
- Dolls, figurines and action toys nurture imagination, social and language skills.
- Balls, bikes, scooters, skipping ropes and outdoor toys stimulate gross motor skills, balance and coordination.
- Puzzles help kids work on spatial, creative, problem solving and frustration tolerance skills.
- Torch and a shadow play book. Enjoy making shadow puppets, and getting creative, telling spooky stories with your face illuminated by the light.
- Ant farm! Foster responsibility, learn about the natural world and observe the cooperative world of ants.
- An atlas! Explore the world, stimulate curiosity.
- A lava lamp. Relaxing and calming, a lava lamp is a great gift for kids.
- You! Spend time listening, playing and discovering your child’s inner world and personality through play. Let them lead the way. This is the best gift and it’s free!
Check out the Abacus Cooperative Catalogue for christmas gift ideas by age, including lots of construction, creative and cooperative games.
Leigh Matthews is a Registered Australian Psychologist and founder of Therapy in Barcelona, a group therapy practice in Barcelona that has supported the English speaking international community for over 13 years. While Leigh’s earlier work focused on helping clients navigate the complexities of expatriate life, her current role is dedicated to leading a uniquely diverse team of highly skilled English speaking therapists from around the world in Barcelona. Committed to fostering professional growth and collaboration, Leigh ensures the practice provides compassionate, client-centred care while focusing on business development and mentorship. Through Therapist Launchpad Consultations, Leigh now shares her expertise, supporting therapists to build successful, ethical practices of their own. Visit Leigh’s LinkedIn Profile
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