The eight brightly-colored scoops teach color identification, and stacking the scoops on the cone promotes fine motor skills. To help children learn colors, each scoop is clearly labeled on the inside with corresponding color. 
THIS PRODUCT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
PHYSICAL
The size of the pieces are large and easy to grasp by small hands. The thickness of the scoops allows children to pick them up easily. They are hollow making them easy to grasp. The size is adequate for play on a wheelchair tray.
SKILLS Grasping and appropriate timed releasal can be practiced when a child places one scoop on a cone. Reaching and arm extension can be enhanced as a child reaches up to place a scoop on a cone. Children can practice whole hand grasp as they hold a scoop. Children can enhance eye-hand coordination by stacking the scoops. Fine motor skills are utilized as children hold the scoops, and place scoops on cones. Transferring and crossing midline can take place as children manipulate one scoop using both hands. Wrist rotation can be practiced as a child moves her hand to place a scoop onto a cone.
SENSORY
The toy is visually appealing, and encourages attention. Children who are visually impaired can benefit from the textures of the scoops and ice cream cone.
SKILLS: Children who are visually impaired can learn to manipulate pieces with their hands.
COMMUNICATIVE
The ice cream is realistic-looking. This helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract “things”. There are enough pieces in the set that children can begin parallel play – playing with the same item next to each other, but not interacting. As children’s skills develop and mature, they can incorporate cooperative actions into play. The ice cream set enables children to develop social play in a non-threatening manner. The design of these scoops and cones encourages open-ended play. There is no set time limit. Children can take the time necessary to process the information and play at their own pace. This set can be used with other children to encourage social interaction. Receptive language skills can be targeted as the caregiver gives verbal instructions, such as, “Can you find the brown ice cream?” Children will auditorily process the question being asked, think of the answer and sequence the steps to provide the answer verbally and/or physically.
SKILLS: Imaginary play and story telling can take place during play with this set. Color and object recognition and identification can be practiced during play. A child can work on directional words such as up/down, on/off, in/out. Children can work on formulating full sentences by asking for specific colors or flavors of ice cream. “May I have a chocolate and orange ice cream scoop on a cone, please?” This can also incorporate proper manners.
COGNITIVE
The ice cream is realistic-looking. This helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract “things”. The color and names on the scoops allows a child to easily recognize each scoop. The bold colors capture and maintain a child’s attention. There is no set time limit. Children can take the time necessary to process the information and play at their own pace.
SKILLS: Object and color recognition and identification is encouraged during play. The use of hands to manipulate the scoops onto the cone helps a child acquire self help skills. The amount of pieces allows a child to practice turn taking. Counting can be encouraged as children count each scoop one at a time. Children can begin sight word reading by recognizing the words of the colors on the scoops.
