The Warren Center, a nonprofit agency providing professional evaluations, therapy services and support to children with developmental delays and disabilities – wants to help parents check off their holiday shopping list with gifts that will help children meet their developmental milestones. 

This year the team of experts at The Warren Center hand-selected gifts that are best suited for children with developmental delays and disabilities at this Amazon Wish List: https://amzn.to/2AHpbQT, where friends and family can find guidance on gift-giving this holiday season. Shoppers can also opt to donate a toy to a child with special needs, which will be hand-delivered by Santa Clause at The Warren Center’s annual Operation Santa event that serves children with developmental delays and disabilities. 

The following toys were chosen by therapists at The Warren Center as the best developmental toys to give children this holiday season:

INFANTS 

BABY BANANA INFANT TRAINING TOOTHBRUSH AND TEETHER 

Teach your child good oral hygiene from the earliest possible age with this training toothbrush. Made of ultra-soft silicone, the toothbrush bristles gently clean incoming teeth and massage teething gums. A great alternative to conventional teething toys, this brush can store easily in the freezer if desired and rinse clean in the dishwasher after use. The easy-to-grasp toothbrush is appropriate for babies as young as three months through one-year-old. This is a great gift for infants because it encourages fine motor skills like grasping, reaching, and use of hands and fingers. It also enables great practice of skills learned through occupational therapy (such as oral care, use of hygiene utensils, and other “occupations” and tasks needed for everyday life). This is an excellent resource for early adaptive and self-care development.

BRIGHT STARTS SIT & FLOOR MIRROR 

Take your baby on an adventurous safari with this sitting and floor mirror. Perfect for getting babies excited about tummy time, this fabric-covered mirror lets infants discover themselves in a baby expedition. In addition to reducing fussiness surrounding tummy time, this mirror also increases awareness about extremities and encourages infants to hold themselves upright in a sitting position. The mirror is large enough to share with parents during bonding playtime, and the folding storage mechanism makes it perfect for tidying or portable travel. This is a great gift for infants because it helps develop gross motor skills for rising to a sitting position or sit-and-play. It also encourages early self-awareness, self-identity, and self-recognition.  

FISHER PRICE RATTLE N’ ROCK MARACAS

Bring music to your baby’s ears with these delightful maracas. Designed for an infant’s small hands and ever-present curiosity, these colorful maracas are easy to grasp and shake. The corresponding grasping and rattling encourage fine motor skills for fingers and hands as well as gross motor skills for the arms and shoulders. Plus, the delightful sounds, textures, and vivid colors are the perfect supplement for sensory development. Whether it is for soothing or keeping your infant occupied, these two maracas can fill your infant’s world with the sound of music. The set includes two toy maracas to build development in both hands. This is a great gift for development because it helps strengthen fine motor skills through grasping and gross motor skills through active play. It also provides a healthy outlet for sensory processing development through the combination of sounds, textures, and colors. With this toy infants can practice exchanging tools and utensils between each hand. This gift is suitable for babies as young as three months old.

TODDLERS

TODDLER BUSY BOARD 

Encourage self-help and organization skills early with this toddler busy board. Designed as an educational learning toy to help develop fine motor skills, this toy has just the right amount of textures and colors to keep your child occupied for hours. With this toy, toddlers learn self-sufficiency and motor-coordination skills with the same fun and self-accomplishment as successfully completing a puzzle. Toddlers can also learn the basic skills needed to dress themselves through active and repetitive activity. In addition to its function as a learning tool, this busy board is quiet enough for self-soothing and lightweight enough to bring along during airplane or car travel. It is a great gift for toddler development because it teaches adaptive and self-help skills like motor coordination and learning to dress. It encourages fine motor skills with the help of nine buckles, ties, and buttons. This gift is perfect for practicing occupational therapy exercises and encourages sensory development at a child’s own pace. It is a self-sufficiency toy reminiscent of completing a puzzle and occupying enough to facilitate self-soothing. This toy offers practical adaption for children who engage in repetitive behaviors. It offers hands-on activity that teaches children the basic skills needed to put on shoes, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and coat 

ANIMAL FARM PLAY SET FOR TODDLERS

Let your child’s imagination run free with this six-piece big red barn. As the brainchild of a century-old expert toy company, this big red barn encourages sensory development and endless pretend play. By combining motor skills with imagination, the toy may help improve repetitive memory, sharper concentration, and better attention span. The set includes easy-to-grasp pieces like a toy horse, sheep, pig, cow, and farmer, allowing your child to practice fine motor skills and create story scenarios during social and solo play. The barn features opening doors and a second floor, and the top handle lets your child carry the toy to any desired space. Foldable for easy cleanup and storage, this barn set is a must-have for bedrooms, nurseries, and play areas. It is an excellent toy for facilitating pretend play, imaginative and creative ability, and narrative storytelling. The two-story barn and five corresponding pieces help children identify animals and learn logical spatial arrangement. The variety of surfaces and colors improves sensory development. The toys allows for repetitive and pretend play which helps improve memory, concentration, and attention span. This gift is suitable for both solo and social play. The barn’s opening doors and easy-grip animals encourage fine motor skills and coordination. 

MELISSA & DOUG SUNNY PATCH BLOSSOM BRIGHT BUBBLE TRUMPET

Encourage sensory and oral motor skills all at once with this bubble trumpet toy. This innovative toy doubles as both a whistle and bubble blower wand. It encourages oral motor skills through use of the whistle as well as sensory experience through the multifaceted wand and creation of gorgeous bubbles. Featuring a durable plastic construction, the toy produces quality sounds as both a dry whistle as well as an indoor or outdoor bubble wand. With a sturdy handle that encourages fine motor skills and coordination, this toy is the ideal companion for the creation of countless childhood memories. Two-in-one whistle and bubble blower. Colorful, multifaceted whistle and bubble blower encourages sensory development. Early introduction to whistle instrument enables great oral-motor practice. Suitable for wet or dry use. Production of sound or bubbles helps toddlers learn about cause and effect. Durable construction can be used indoor or outdoor. Set includes high-quality bubble solution.

PRESCHOOLERS

 DOODLE MAT 

The possibilities are endless with this large educational doodle mat. This mat encourages the use of writing utensils for drawing, coloring, painting, or writing – all without wasting paper or getting accidental crayon marks on furniture. Children can use this large space to learn everything from color identification and the alphabet to drawing basic shapes and numbers. The mat is large enough for solo use and sharing with others as well as parents and children to draw together. With this multisensory experience, your child’s imagination can soar while the practical mind becomes accustomed whiteboard-style learning that children often encounter in school. The multisensory experience helps improve attention span and concentration while use of writing utensils encourages fine motor skills development. The oversized mat can also build social and interactive skills through sharing and spatial awareness. The set includes magic pens, stamps, templates, brush pot, and drawing manual for teaching color and shape identification. Also included in the set are storage bags that make clean up easy.  

MELISSA & DOUG CLASSIC WOODEN FIGURE EIGHT TRAIN SET 

Create timeless memories with this classic train set. With its sturdy wooden frame, traditional figure-eight design, and a total of 22 pieces, this train set creatives a remarkably full railway system for learning. The set includes tracks, a bridge, wooden engine, and coal car for hours of imaginative and pretend play. Introduce your child to the very first basics of design engineering while creating spatial awareness, narrative logical thinking, and linear problem-solving. Naturally boosting hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and dexterity, this train set fosters boundless fun for learning and play. The figure-eight design and corresponding pieces help develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor and gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and physical dexterity. The hands-on construction process supports narrative thinking as well as logical and linear problem-solving. The sets of textures and colors are excellent for sensory development and pretend play. This gift is suitable for children as young as three.  

PEPPA PIG ON THE GO 72 PAGE COLORING ACTIVITY BOOK WITH A SET OF 8 EASY TO GRIP COLORFUL JUMBO CRAYONS

Encourage fine motor skills and pure imagination all at once with this coloring book and jumbo crayon set. Featuring eight bright jumbo crayons and a friendly Peppa Pig activity book, this set makes it easy for preschoolers to practice using writing utensils and identifying colors. The set includes a pack with built-in storage to strengthen organization skills while teaching cleanup and responsibility. With its portable handle, this set is the perfect companion for travel or hours of creative fun. The easy-grip jumbo crayons and built-in storage until encourage fine motor skills and hand dexterity. The set facilitates practice with writing utensils, color identification, and drawing basic shapes or letters. The bright colors create positive sensory stimulation. 

View the Warren Center’s Amazon Operation Santa Wish list to donate or view more toy suggestions that can help children reach their developmental goals. https://amzn.to/2AHpbQT.  

Fall activities are in full swing, which means it’s time for choosing costumes, trick-or-treating, enjoying treats, and attending Halloween parties. There are a few tips to keep in mind to help plan ahead for social, communication and sensory difficulties that may occur during this season. The Warren Center, a North Texas-based nonprofit agency providing professional evaluations, therapy services and support to children with developmental delays and disabilities, shares tips to help children with sensory challenges have fun this fall. 

Tip #1 Show photos of family members in costumes

To help prepare your child for Halloween, show them photos of family members dressed up in costumes. This is a great opportunity to explain your family’s Halloween traditions and activities with your child. Some Halloween traditions and activities conflict with common rules, including not taking candy from strangers. It is important to discuss rules and boundaries with your child to help them better understand the holiday. If your child is experiencing communication delays, visuals still help them prepare for the big day. 

Tip #2 Pretend play with different costumes

Another fun way to prepare your child for Halloween is to pretend play by dressing up in different costumes. This can help your child become comfortable with wearing a costume. To help your child feel more comfortable in a costume, pay close attention to the material and fit to ensure it is not too long, loose, tight, scratchy or stiff. Sometimes pretend play with costumes may initially be overwhelming to your child. If this is the case, try incremental exposure to the costume. Allow your child to see and feel the material and work your way up to playing dress-up. If your child has a facial, sensitivity avoid face paint, makeup and masks. 

Tip #3 Modify Halloween games to meet your child’s needs

You can help your child participate in Halloween parties by modifying the games or activities to meet your child’s needs. One idea is to have your child decorate a pumpkin with stickers or paint instead of carving a pumpkin. For school Halloween parties, you can discuss different ways to modify games or activities with the child’s teacher.

Tip #4 Stay in familiar areas if you go trick-or-treating

When trick-or-treating, remember to stay in familiar areas that are close to home. Consider visiting only the homes of your friends and family members to help your child feel comfortable. Also be mindful of houses with loud noises, lights and spooky decorations. Practicing how to trick or treat with your child can also be helpful, including walking up to the door, saying the phrase “trick or treat”, putting the treat in the bag and saying, “thank you”.

There are many sensory-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween with your child whether you decide to watch a movie or make a Halloween treat — it’s important that you choose an activity that is best suited for your child’s needs.

Fans dressing up in costumes, or cosplay as it is sometimes called, is a BIG part of Dallas Fan Days weekend. Thousands of amazing costumes are available for guests viewing pleasure throughout the weekend. Dallas Fan Days invites all guests, young and old, to get in on the costume action from October 18 through October 20, 2019, at the Irving Convention Center, 500 West Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039.

From Cosplay Red Carpet to Kids Costume Contests, there are plenty of activities to test drive your costume in advance of Halloween. Featured events and activities include:

COSTUME CONTEST

This exciting event features creative fans showcasing their original costumes derived from the comic, sci-fi, horror, anime and fantasy worlds – all on stage for a chance to win bragging rights. From caped-crusaders to hot anime characters, be awed as a spectator or strut your stuff on stage. 

COSPLAY MEETUPS

Whether you're a Whovian or Jedi, a cosplayer, or crafter, you are welcome here! Spend some time with people who love the same things you do, share your awesome cosplay, find new local Meetup friends, or just take some photos. These themed Meetups are free and designed to help you connect with people you otherwise might not ever meet.

KIDS COSTUME CONTEST

Join us for our Annual Kids Costume Contest! Kids 12 and under will show off their costumes for a chance to receive some great prizing for the top 3 costumes!

COSPLAY PHOTO PARK

Put on your best costume and get ready to strike a pose in the Cosplay Photo Park! Located in the Community Zone, this awesome feature will allow you and your friends to gather around and get that amazing shot! Various themed backdrops will be available for you to choose from - the best part is, it’s free! If you are trying to plan a group cosplay photoshoot, this is the place to meet!

COSPLAY HIDEAWAY

Fan Days Cosplay Hideaway provides an area to repair an element of your costume, or simply a place to sit and recharge your batteries (literally and/or figuratively). The lounge gives you the space you need. Most importantly: it's a paparazzi-free zone.

COSPLAY RED CARPET

Get ready for the Cosplay Red Carpet Walk! Show off your costume in front of your adoring fans! All photographers – both professional and those shooting with their smartphones – are welcome to line up for the best shot possible during the event!

DFW COSPLAY GALLIFREY

DFW Cosplay Gallifrey is an organization stationed in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolis, whose members come from Texas and all over the world. DFW Cosplay Gallifrey’s purpose is to promote the love of Doctor Who, Fandom and Cosplay, while also celebrating its individual members and their Cosplay projects. DFW Cosplay Gallifrey’s goals are to promote inter-group harmony among other fan organizations and charity projects as approved by its members.

To see the full guest list, schedule, and order tickets go to www.dallasfandays.com

In the spirit of the season, Soulman’s is giving away 18 Thanksgiving family meals to deserving North Texans. Each meal in the Fourth Annual Thanksgiveaway includes a bone-in hickory-smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, dinner rolls and cranberry sauce. Nomination forms will be available online at the Soulman’s Facebook page beginning Friday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 15. 

“For the fourth consecutive year, the Thanksgiveaway program gives us the opportunity to lend a helping hand to families who've endured hardship. May it be the loss of a loved one, grandparents who might be alone over the holiday and unable to cook, teachers who have changed communities for the better, coworkers recently laid off and down on their luck, best friends who would give anything to let their friend know they truly care and the list goes on and on,” says Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que.  “We are so grateful for the opportunity to share a soulful holiday meal with 18 families across North Texas.”

Patrons from any North Texas Soulman’s location can submit a nomination by simply filling out a private online form available on the Soulman’s Bar-B-Que Facebook page with the name of the nominated recipient, reason for nomination and additional contact information. Winners will be notified Nov. 16-Nov. 18 and will be required to respond within 72 hours for pick-up on November 25 or 26, 2019.

Thanksgiveaway is just one way that Soulman’s is spreading a little soul this holiday season. North Texas businesses and families have been enjoying the holidays stress-free for years by pre-ordering from the holiday catering menu that showcases Soulman’s best-sellers including bone-in hickory-smoked turkey, boneless hickory-smoked turkey, whole hickory-smoked ham or the spiral sliced holiday ham, mouth-watering sides and perfect homemade holiday pies.