National Lekotek Center: Helping children with special needs through toys and play.

Lekotek Banner: Play. Learn. Achieve. For children with special needs.

Lekotek The country's central source on toys and play for children with special needs.

Photo of child playing with toys at a Lekotek Center

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View 2010 Toys "R" Us Guide for Differently-Abled Kids

What's New at Lekotek

3rd Annual Lekotek Ambassador Ball

Please join us on Friday, September 21, 2012

3rd Annual Lekotek Ambassador Ball is the annual fundraiser of the National Lekotek Center

Click here to find out more and to purchase tickets here.

Join the Lekotek Team!

There is an opening for a Part Time Bi-lingual Family Play Specialist

Details: 20 hours per week (including some evenings and weekends) to accommodate families' schedules. Benefits package included.

Requirements: Degree in TR and CTRS certified (or eligible within 3 months of hire), Child Life/Child Development or Special Education. Applicant needs at least one year experience working one-on-one in a direct services situation with children with disabilities 0 – 10. In addition, candidate must have a car and be willing to make home visits to families and drive to our program partners in the community. Fluent in Spanish.

Description: At the heart of Lekotek are the Lekotek Family Play Specialists, specially trained play facilitators who may look like they are "just playing" when a family comes in for a play session. In fact these, Lekotek Leaders have designed the play session to address the developmental needs of the child and emotionally support the needs of the family. The job duties include facilitating individual family play sessions, playgroups, training and special events.

Contact: Interested parties may submit a cover letter and resume to Ann Bouchard, Manager of Direct Service at abouchard@lekotek.org.

“Potential and Possibilities” a Lekotek White Paper

The White Paper “Potential and Possibilities” is a model for providing children with disabilities access to the benefits of play experiences. When a child enters the realm of play, he also enters the realm of potential and possibilities. Children who have disabilities can and do face obstacles engaging in play. As a child experiences new situations through the act of play they create new understandings and conceptualizations of the world around them. When the child’s special needs are thus met, they can depart from a world of struggles, tasks, therapies and treatments into the joyful experience of play and through that accomplish more than anyone ever dreamed possible.

Download a copy of this exciting document here.

Facilitating Play for Children with Special Needs

An introductory course to teach parents, caregivers and professionals how to facilitate play with children.

Topics will include:

Follow the child’s lead
Expand the play while still following the child’s lead
Facilitate repetition of play activity
Use verbal cues to provide positive reinforcement
Use non-verbal cues to provide positive reinforcement

For more information go to: http://www.lekotek.org/services/educators/training_facilt_play.html

Become a Lekotek Ambassador

Lekotek Ambassadors are a volunteer, member-driven fundraising-focused team that supports the mission of the National Lekotek Center. Members help strengthen and grow the organization through financial and personal support. They accomplish this through their dynamic participation in various resource development activities and by providing strategic advice and counsel.

View or download the informational PDF if you'd like to become a member of this important team!

Things You Should Know about Lekotek

Toys "R" Us Guide for Differently-Abled Kids - Toys "R" Us has released the 2010 Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, a complimentary toy-selection guide for parents and friends of children with disabilities. more >>>

Lekotek co-hosts an inclusive play event - with the Creative Discovery Museum and Playcore showcasing a new concept in play, Snug Play USA. more >>>

The Power of Play - Witness the power of play through the story of William and his big brother Owen featured on YouTube. view YouTube video >>>

NAPPA Partnership - National Lekotek Center serves as toy judge for the prestigious National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Children's Products competition. more >>>

Legislative Action - Visit our legislative action center. Your involvement can make a difference. more >>>

Lekotek State Funding Update & Next Steps - Visit our Advocacy page to learn more. more >>>

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*AblePlay receives social venture funding from The Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust.

		National Lekotek Center: 2001 N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60614 Phone: 773-528-5766 - Fax: 773.537.2992 - Toy Resource Helpline: 800.366.PLAY
		lekotek@lekotek.org

		Anixter Center
		Lekotek is a division of Anixter Center - "...providing quality services for people with disabilities."