All babies and children develop differently. Concerns about a child with SMA’s ability to sit, stand, and walk are understandable. Their breathing, feeding and swallowing are all as important. So is the development of their understanding, speech, and social skills.

Before babies learn how to grasp objects, they respond to things they can look at and listen to. Bright colours or high contrast colours like black and white are easiest to see. Babies particularly like objects that make a noise when moved.

Some Ideas:

• Brightly coloured musical mobiles
• Baby play gyms and mats
• Talking and singing with your baby
• Music – YouTube and nursery rhymes
• Lullaby projector lightshows
• Bath time fun with music and toys that make a noise or light up
• Wind chimes and coloured ribbons.

As babies develop, they learn to explore using their mouth and by grasping at their toys. Initially they grasp with the palms of their hands. If your baby finds it tiring to use their arms and hands, your physio or OT will advise you how to support your child comfortably and safely. Lying your baby on their side with support may help them to use both their hands together.

Some ideas:

• Activity centre or play mat
• Lightweight rattles and bells
• Colourful board books with textured pages
• Simple action songs
• Lightweight and colourful finger puppets
• Small soft toys that are easy to hold
• Suitable teething toys.

Over time, your child may start to reach and pull objects towards them and pass them from one hand to the other. Later, your child may begin to pick up small objects between their forefinger and thumb. This is using a ‘pincer’ grasp.

They might enjoy having their toys in front of them on a tray with a rim so that they don’t easily slide off.

Non-slip mats also help to keep toys in place.

Some ideas:

• Building blocks e.g. Duplo. You can also get magnetic blocks/animals which make building easier
• Books with different textures to touch and feel
• Shape sorters
• Stacking cups or rings

As they get older, your child may begin to imitate what they see around them, start to recognise words and the names of familiar objects.

Some ideas:

• Movement and interactive games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
• Toys that move or make a sound
• Hide and seek games with toys
• Storytelling, music or rhyme sessions at your local library
• Swimming or, if you have one, hydrotherapy pool activities. There are various floatation aids available if you need them. Check with your physio, OT or health visitor what would be best for your child

As your child becomes interested in what happens when they do something, you can introduce new toys and ideas to provide fun and learning.

Some ideas:

• Magnetic books, jigsaws or games
• Toys which are operated by a button and make a sound or move
• Playmobil and Duplo figures
• Messy play using sand, water or jelly.
• Drawing or painting. It can help to stick paper down with blue tack to hold it still. Try finger painting, light-touch thicker pencils, felt tip pens or Crayola Twistables which glide on easily. Pencil grips can help.
• Wipeable drawing and doodle boards
• Helping with baking, mixing, and decorating cakes and biscuits
• Throwing and catching games using light sponge balls, larger ones will be easier
• Play food to encourage imaginative play

Working with your child’s current abilities can help avoid them feeling frustrated or upset if they find an activity difficult to manage by themselves.

Some ideas:

• Playdough. Rolling, squeezing, and cutting out shapes.
• Trains and cars on tracks or slides. Magnetic trains are easier to join up
• Magnetic tiles or blocks and fishing games
• Large piece wooden jigsaws and puzzles
• Toys that use the pull of gravity like cars or marbles sent down ramps. This encourages reaching and stretching.

It is important for children to explore, take part in activities and begin to play with their friends more independently.

“Soft sponge balls are good for playing football. Our son goes in goal and uses his wheelchair to stop the ball when he is playing with his able-bodied friends.” Dad of 4-year-old

If your child wants to use a computer for games and schoolwork, they may need some adaptations to use it independently. For example, a light touch mouse. Talk to your child’s OT (Occupational Therapist) who will advise you.

Local libraries often run sessions for children and can tell you what’s on offer in your area.

Toy libraries lend out toys at a very low cost.. Your local authority website or your local library should have details of your nearest toy library.

• Smart Play Network > in Scotland, supports toy libraries, play services and play providers.
• Newlife Charity for Disabled Children > – loan toys through their play therapy pod service. Phone: 0800 902 0095.
• Sure Start Centres >  provide activities and play ideas for children under the age of 5. See if you have one in your area
• The Portage Scheme > is a national home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.
• Local Children Hospices >  offer play facilities, including multi-sensory rooms and music rooms.  Some children and families will be eligible for their support.

Specialist suppliers include:

• Dycem > – supply non-slip mats
• Explore your Senses > – sensory toys
• Hope Education > – educational resources
• Liberator > – switch adapted toys
• Living Made Easy > – information about play equipment and suppliers – from the tabs at the top, choose ‘leisure and play’
• Meru > – device holders, sensory and switch-adapted toys
• Rompa > – sensory and developmental toys
• Sense Toys > – sensory toys
• Sensory Toy Warehouse >
• Spacekraft > – sensory resources
• Special Needs Toys > – range of toys

Charity shops, eBay and Facebook Marketplace can be good for buying second-hand toys.