Are there any toys designed specifically for deaf children?

Most toys are suitable for deaf children. But sound-based toys may be more difficult for your child to use if they have very little or no hearing. If your child has some hearing, sound-based toys may help to develop listening skills.

Look out for toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and level of development. Toys that have an interesting texture or feel nice to the touch may be especially appropriate.

If you sign with your child, activities that allow you to maintain eye contact will make communication easier. Games and activities should be short enough to keep your child’s concentration, so that they can finish what they set out to do.

For more information, see our page Playtime and Deaf Children.

Companies that make specific things include...

Lakeshore Learning (this is an American company).
www.lakeshorelearning.com

Smartstart Toys
http://www.smartstart-toys.co.uk

Special Kids in the UK
http://www.specialkidsintheuk.org/

The National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries (the national body for toy and leisure libraries in the UK): telephone 020 7428 2286 (voice), www.natll.org.uk. They have publications, for example, Good Toy Guide.

Forest Books (books, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs and software about sign language and Deaf issues): telephone 01594 833858 (voice and text), www.forestbooks.com.