The National Lekotek Center The National Lekotek Center, a 501(c)3 organization, has worked with toy manufacturers for 32 years with a simple goal in mind—to improve the lives of children with special needs through the utilization of toys and play.
Our Story The Lekotek model will mark its 50th year in 2013. It grew out of a movement that was started in Sweden by two mothers of children with special needs. These women were searching for ways to motivate their children to develop new skills. The driving force these parents discovered that was capable of fueling this concept was simple but powerful—a child’s innate desire to play The founders were amazed. Not only did the idea work, but it propelled children to move beyond their limitations and achieve more than anyone ever dreamed possible. ‘Lek’ (Swedish for toy) and ‘tek’ (meaning library) merged into a new word that would find its way to distant shores—Lekotek. Today this concept has expanded along with the special needs market. Lekotek has increased its scope from play sessions to a comprehensive collection of programs that promote toys for children of all abilities. They range from providing direct services to children and their families to consulting for toy manufacturers on marketing to the special needs community. A cornerstone of these programs is the AblePlay website that offers ratings and reviews of toys and products appropriate for children of all abilities.
Advocacy Efforts Children who are deprived of or have limited access to play often experience a negative impact to their development, overall health and well-being.
Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable.
Using toys as tools to learn, grow and develop Preserving play time Educating on the dangers of play deprivation Providing information on the prescriptive use of toys Encouraging physical movement and offsetting obesity Creating situations for inclusive play Applying technology to improve children’s lives Informing families on the importance of play time together Playing in nature
Promoting disability awareness
Experience Serving Families and Children with Disabilities Lekotek builds bridges for children to connect to play experiences by offering play sessions, play groups, summer camps, computer classes, support groups and family toy lending libraries.
Our 32 year history includes…
TOYS LOANED
PLAY SESSIONS
AFFILIATES The National Lekotek Center nurtures the replication of the Lekotek model nationwide. Lekotek’s network of affiliates offers a myriad of unique programs that meet the diverse needs of the families within the context of their own suburban, urban or rural communities.
Lekotek provides monthly therapeutic play sessions at all their facilities. Family Play Specialists use toys that focus on cognitive, sensory, communicative, social/emotional and physical skills.
Lekotek Toy Lending Libraries allow parents to further implement and reinforce the goals of the Family Play Session at home. Toy Library services bring interesting, exciting and developmentally appropriate toys into the child’s home and spurs the child, siblings and parents to play together.
Compiled 5/1/2012
Industry Partnerships National Lekotek Center has developed extensive expertise in how to make play accessible and successful for children of varying degrees of abilities. This very specialized niche has made Lekotek a seasoned resource for the toy industry.
Our 32 year history includes…
Product Development Projects
Product development consultation is a tool manufacturers use in making their products more accessible to children of all abilities. Services range from advocating for ‘universal design’ concepts in new product development to modifying existing products that target the special needs market.
Toy Company Partners
Lekotek has worked with a range of large, medium and small manufacturers in relating their product to the special needs market.
As an active supporter of the value of play, Lekotek promotes the importance of finding appropriate toys for children of all abilities. We welcome partnerships with toy manufacturers who share that goal.
Toy & Play Product Evaluations
Product evaluations are one of the major focuses of Lekotek. Projects specific to children with special needs range from the AblePlay Star Rating and Lifetime seal, to evaluating toys for the Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. Lekotek also judges toys for children of all abilities for the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA).
Compiled 5/1/2012
Industry Publishing Efforts National Lekotek Center has developed extensive expertise in how to make play accessible and successful for children of varying degrees of abilities. This very specialized niche has made Lekotek a seasoned resource for the toy industry.
2010
PlayCore Partnered in writing “2 Play Together, Fostering Friendships through Inclusive Play” Conducted extensive field testing of commercial and residential playground equipment for children with special needs
2008
One Step Ahead Wrote online catalog content dedicated to positioning products to the special needs market
since
2006
ASTRA newsletter Contributed and continues to write a regular column encouraging specialty toy retailers to reach and relate to the special needs community
since
1995
Toys ‘R’ Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids Selected, evaluated and wrote copy for 3,338 toys Authored this booklet for 17 years
Consumer Publishing Efforts Lekotek writes columns, posts articles and releases PR material on a regular basis focusing on the special needs community. In addition, Lekotek serves as a contributor and trusted authority on children with disabilities to various publications and television media outlets.
since
2009
Parenting Special Needs Write a bi-monthly column for this online publication on toys for children with special needs
since
2008
Chicago Special Parent Write bi-annual column on play for this special edition of “Chicago Parent” magazine and serve on Advisory Board
since
2003
NAPPA Serve as the lead toy judge for National Parenting Publications Awards programs To date have evaluated 2,215 toys Write column on children with special needs for the NAPPA website
2002
“Understanding Children” book by Richard Saul Wurman Provided editorial services to chapter on play
Awards & Honors US Congress—cited as a model program for children and families
U.S. Senate Subcommittee for the Handicapped—asked to testify regarding technology needs for children with special needs
US Department of Education—awarded three-year federal grant
US Toy Library Association—awarded Player of the Year
Illinois State Board of Education—received Exemplary Practice Award
Chicago Commission on Disabilities—received Gargoyle Award
Los Angeles City Commission on Disabilities—received special commendation
Bridges for Autism–recognized with Excellence in Community Service Commendation
Toys R Us—awarded two “Vendor or the Year”
Illinois Association of Non-Profit Organizations—recognized with Excellence Award