Child Care

Child Care

Parents, when they become convinced that a child is slow in his mental development, are apt to ask the doctor or social worker what special playthings and educational material they should buy and what special instruction they should give the child at home. This is due to people's natural tendency to think, at first, that a handicapped child is very different from other children. To be sure, a retarded child may have interests and capabilities that are not up to his chronological age; they correspond more to his mental age. He is apt to want to play children younger than himself, and with toys suitable for that younger age. He might not begin to try to tie his shoelaces or to pick out letters at 5 or 6. He may also have difficulty in interprenting what he sees or hears. He may be awkward or hyperactive.

Parents of a child of average intelligence don't have to ask a doctor or read a book to find out his interests. Mostly they watch him playing with his own possessions and with the possessions of neighbors and sense what else might appeal to him. They observe what he is trying to learn and help him tactfully.

It's really just the same with a retarded child. You watch to see what he enjoys. You get him the playthings, indoors and out, that are sensible. You help him locate the children he has fun with, every day if possible. You teach him the skills he wants assistance with.