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As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift can feel daunting. The common questions of "What should I buy?" or "Will they enjoy it?" often overshadow the joy of giving. However, this season also offers a wonderful opportunity to support a child's development in meaningful ways. All children are unique, with individual preferences and personalities. By keeping your child's unique interests and needs in mind, you can select gifts that promote joy, engagement, and growth.

Sensory Play
Prioritizing sensory play opens doors for children to explore new textures, sounds, and sights while fostering emotional regulation. Gifts like sensory bins filled with sand, water beads, or kinetic sand provide hands-on opportunities for exploration and creativity. Incorporating fidget toys or calming sensory tools can offer comfort and promote focus. From fidget spinners and Pop-Its to bubbles and slime, these toys can enhance focus and provide a soothing outlet when feelings become overwhelming. Try pairing sensory play with a well-thought-out calm-down corner at home, equipped with weighted blankets, cozy pillows, and calming visuals.

Fueling Creativity with Imaginative Play
Imaginative play is a gateway to creativity and storytelling. Gift options like dress-up costumes, LEGO sets, or craft kits empower your child to explore their imagination and create their own narratives. Puzzles and Magnatiles also offer opportunities for creativity while incorporating fine and gross motor development, visual and spatial thinking, and problem-solving. Children often use dress-up or world-building activities to work through ideas and worries in their most natural language – play. Participating in their imaginative play and completely following your child's lead shows a desire to step into their world and understand their perspective and encourages problem-solving and social skills.

Additionally, art supplies can be a wonderful gift for creativity and expression. Whether painting or using air-dried clay, these activities help children, especially visual learners, articulate their feelings without having to use words.

The Magic of Stories
Books can be valuable tools for discussing feelings and social concepts, offering a gentle backdrop for deeper conversations about emotions and relationships. Consider choosing stories that feature characters encountering various challenges; this can serve as a springboard for discussions about emotional responses and appropriate social behaviors. Pulling from the storylines, you can ask "I wonder" questions to prompt discussions that help your child connect them to their realities. Some current favorites in my playroom are Thelma the Unicorn, The Color Monster, The Rabbit Listened, and The Not-So-Friendly Friend.

Movement and Fun with Active Play
Engaging in active play creates opportunities for regulation during playtime. For children who seek more physical and active play, consider gifts that provide an outlet for their energy, such as crash pads or balance bikes. A balance beam or a hopscotch mat can stimulate coordination and balance while allowing them to get creative with their physical play. Sports equipment like soccer balls, velcro dart boards, or mini bowling sets can foster active play, encouraging family involvement while developing their motor skills and endurance. Outdoor adventure kits, complete with items like a kite, jump rope, or a scavenger hunt guide, are also great for encouraging exploration and time outside.

Creating Lasting Memories by Gifting Experiences
Rather than focusing solely on material gifts, consider experiences that create memories and engage your child's sense of adventure. Activities like visiting a zoo, attending a theater performance, or taking a cooking class together offer unique connections and learning opportunities. Incorporating board games or Family TableTopics cards could also invite moments of connection during the busy holiday season.

Setting aside 10-15 minutes a few times weekly for uninterrupted play can make a profound difference. During these moments, be fully present: get down on the floor, match their enthusiasm, and practice delighting in their ideas—no matter how whimsical or unconventional. Often, we adults impose our structure, dictating how play should unfold or what goals should be achieved. Instead, we can practice letting children create the rules and narratives.

Participating in play, whether piecing together a puzzle, exploring new recipes, or building a fort, reinforces your child's sense of security and belonging. Just as children learn and grow through their interactions with toys, they thrive in environments where they are truly engaged by the adults around them. Play provides a unique opportunity for connection, particularly for children who might struggle to communicate in traditional ways. 

Cultivating Connection is the Heart of Gift-Giving
As the holiday season unfolds, remember that the true gifts lie in the connections you cultivate with your child. In our fast-paced lives, it's easy for adults to overlook the significance of their presence. The most impactful "gift" we can offer our children is our attention and engagement. It's not about any single toy—what truly matters is how we show up for our children, expressing genuine interest in their world. 

Aubrey Condon is an Independent Contractor and Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate at The Stewart Center at The Westview School. Audrey holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from The University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Baylor University. She is also a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). Aubrey is available for individual therapy sessions through The Stewart Center at The Westview School. She is available for individual art therapy and play therapy sessions plus coordinates both Lego Club and Yoga/Mindfulness. If you or your family are interested in learning more about the services The Stewart Center provides, visit us online at The Stewart Center.