The Ocean Grove Toy Library’s new inclusive and accessible sessions are providing children and families living with disability better access to a world of play.
The inclusion sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 9am to 10am and 11am to noon in the Boorai Centre at 4-50 Shell Road.
President Khyalla Goldsworthy said the sessions allowed families to use the toy library safely and inclusively, enabling more children to engage with the community space.
“Many families aren’t sure which toys their kids might love or how to use toys to achieve their goals,” she said.
“We wanted to start offering inclusive sessions because not all families and children feel comfortable accessing such a busy environment.
“As a paediatric physiotherapist I understand the importance of play not only for development, but also for early mental health and attachment – It’s also just great fun.”
Toy library facilitator Margaret Clingin said the inclusive sessions would allow her to get to know each family and work with them to identify toys that met a child’s needs and development goals.
“We’re trying to make it a really personalised service, so families can choose to give us a heads up about their child’s interests and we can get some options ready for them,” she said.
“There is such a wide variety of toys that can help with a child’s development and further their interests, so we’re now offering that in a sensitive and inclusive space that’s really calm and inviting.”
Visit oceangrovetoylibrary.org.au for more information on the toy library.
