TORONTO — More than 300 students from eight Toronto-area schools are creating toys and games for children with special needs.
Elijah Kamaras-Garland
The participating grade 5 to 9 classes are part of the Teaching Tolerance Through Toys campaign, which launched its third year in March. The program is part of an awareness project developed by the Zareinu Moveathon, an annual festival that raises more than $1 million dollars for the Zareinu Educational Centre.
“We’re thrilled to see the campaign expanding into more and more classes in 2011,” said Mitch Parker, principal and clinical director of Zareinu, a school and treatment centre for children with physical and developmental challenges.
“The enthusiasm and initiative of these students is an indicator that they can embrace a curriculum that includes learning about children with special needs. Enabling students to understand the challenges resulting from disabilities is the first step toward accepting these children as their equals.”
The campaign provides students with a hypothetical case study about a child at Zareinu. It describes a disability such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy and explains the challenges that a child with the disorder faces.
Through art, math, science or general studies, students must design a toy for their assigned case study. The step-by-step process includes investigating, planning, creating and evaluating the success of their toys.
The students also keep a weekly journal of their progress that incorporates their personal reflections on the experience. They will reveal their toys to the public at the Zareinu Moveathon festival on June 12 at Downsview Park.
“There’s an incredible need for a program like this. It’s an experience that participating students will remember for a lifetime,” said principal Bill Waldman of Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School, which is part of the program.
“This is a truly unique way of teaching a sensitive but critical topic. With bullying being a serious issue in our communities, this is one way of teaching students that we shouldn’t fear or isolate those that are different.”
Sonya Budd, Zareinu Moveathon coordinator, said the campaign “provides the opportunity for students to learn tolerance for their peers that are different from them. Whether the difference is physical or not, it teaches respect of others and acceptance of being different.”
When the students arrive at Zareinu for a tour, the children “just blossom,” she said. “The [Zareinu] therapists guide them on their projects and our students are so thrilled to have visitors that have brought toys for them to interact with. It happens to be incredible every time.”
Budd said students at the participating schools have told her “they can hardly wait until next year when it is their turn to participate [in the program].”
At Forest Hill Public School’s Grade 8 graduation two years ago, Budd was further reminded of how meaningful the campaign is. The valedictorian commented in her speech on the impact of the program and said it was “a highlight of her year.”
