Erasmus+ · Small-scale partnerships in adult education
Expert in Toys for My Special Child
Practical guidance and online learning that help parents use therapeutic play to support children with disabilities.
About the project
Also known as Toy ZONE, this project supports parents of children with disabilities by developing their skills in special education and therapeutic play. Born from the observation that the COVID-19 pandemic had cut many children off from specialist therapy centres, the project built a free e-learning platform — TOY-parents ZONE — teaching parents how to select and use toys and educational materials suited to their child's specific needs, alongside recognised methods such as Montessori, ABA and PECS. The project ran for 21 months (1 September 2022 – 1 June 2024) with a €60,000 lump-sum grant, coordinated by EUth Wonders e.V. (Germany).
Partnership
Objectives
- Enhance social inclusion for children with disabilities and their parents
- Develop parents' skills in special education so they can support their child's development at home
- Support the educational and therapeutic process for children with disabilities through accessible alternatives
- Reduce the sense of social isolation many parents of children with disabilities experience
The TOY-parents ZONE e-learning platform
Developed by SC Psihoforworld (Romania) with contributions from all partners, the platform is built around five modules:
- Identifying a child's needs based on the characteristics of their disability
- Selecting the most appropriate educational material for the child's disability
- Working with Montessori, ABA, PECS and outdoor-education techniques
- Choosing materials that match the child's specific disability
- Selecting toys with a positive psychological and rehabilitative impact
The platform is free to access, self-paced, and includes mentor support for parents working through the courses.
Dissemination
Led by EUth Wonders (Germany), dissemination activities include the project website and an "Erasmus corner" at each partner organisation, social media outreach, an international seminar on therapeutic games and toys for children with special educational needs, and four regional multiplier events — one per partner country.
This section will be updated with further materials (platform access, photos, seminar outcomes) as they are shared.