Threading, lacing and dressing

This section includes products designed to help children practice threading, lacing, fastening and dressing skills.

Fastening products are designed to be worn (e.g. vests or jackets) or are toys (e.g. dressing pillows, cubes, dolls or books). Products include a range of fastenings such as zips, laces, buttons, buckles, Velcro and press studs. Many are comprised of bright colours, but may also be available in black and white or contrasting colours. This may make them suitable for children with visual impairments.

Lacing and threading products can encourage hand-eye coordination, stimulate manipulation skills and can also enable children to work on counting, sorting and matching skills. Products include threading beads, toy shoes and blocks for practicing lacing.

Sliding puzzles and mazes can help to improve a child's dexterity (the ability to coordinate movements in the hands). Most have a wooden base and wires with loops, hoops and twists that may be shaped into designs such as a car, butterfly or boat. Some are incorporated into tables and others may be wall mounted. Those that glow in the dark might be suitable for use in a multisensory environment. Also included are rotating disc puzzles that have a vertical column with discs which must be rotated to get on and off the column.

Nuts and bolts toys may be comprised of a wooden base board or block with a central post and plastic bolts, or just a set of screws and nuts. Those with larger sized pieces may be easier for children with reduced grip to handle and fit together.