What’s New For the Playroom?

PHOTO: Playroom

In this section we review books, toys, and materials that make being a play therapist more fun, as well as help you be more effective.

The following are some TOYS that are especially useful for children after experiencing a disaster or traumatic event.

Playmobil Building and Imagination Toys

Playmobil Building and Imagination Toys offers specific Construction, Fire Rescue, and Police toy kits. The kits can be purchased through Playmobil at the following official Playmobil website http://www.playmobil.com/index.html, as well as other toy websites such as Oakridge hobbies at http://www.oakridgehobbies.com/toybox/toy_playmobil.html.

PHOTO: Medical Kit Medical Kit

Fisher Price offers a medical kit for children to play doctor or nurse. The medical kit includes a working stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, a “sick to well” thermometer, pretend otoscope, spring-loaded syringe, and a bracelet style bandage. The Fisher Price Medical Kit can be purchased through Fisher Price for $10.00. For ordering information, please visit http://www.fisher-price.com/us/products/product.asp?id=35175.

PHOTO: Vet Kit Vet Kit

A vet kit can provide children opportunities to care for a pet after a disaster or other traumatic event. A Puppy Vet Kit can be purchased through Toys “R” Us for $24.99. For ordering information, please visit http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2328514.

Another type of vet kit can be purchased through Young Explorers for $29.95. For ordering information, please visit http://youngexplorers.com/itemdy00.asp?c=&T1=Y118104&GEN1=Active+Play&SKW=active&PageNo=1.

Bibiotherapy can be a useful therapeutic technique when discussing challenging topics with children of all ages. The following BOOKS can be used with children who have experienced a disaster or traumatic event.

PHOTO: Book A Terrible Thing Happened: A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma

http://www.maginationpress.com/4416428.html

A Terrible Thing Happened , written by Margaret M. Holmes, is a story for children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic event, ranging from physical abuse to natural disasters. The book can be purchased through Magination Press for $14.95. For ordering information, please visit http://www.maginationpress.com/4416428.html.

Ladder 35, Engine 40

http://www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/crisis_ladder.pdf

Ladder 35, Engine 40 is an e-book that can be downloaded for free. This book is a true story of a seven-year-old’s attempt to cope with her feelings and understand the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 . This book, recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 9, is an excellent resource, and assists parents and children in dealing with this traumatic event and difficult topic.