Kerry Library Toys and Sensory Resources Collection
The Kerry Library Toys and Sensory Resources Collection is a collection for children with complex
needs and their families, in County Kerry. The collection has its base at Castleisland Library. It was established
in 2015 for children who have a variety of needs. This was in response to the growing demand
for intervention services and the necessity for parents and professionals to work together to give the
children the maximum opportunity to develop skills and independence. The library was grant aided by
the Department of Children and Youth Affairs under the Play and Recreation funding scheme.
Kerry Library has over 400 toys; many are purchased specifically to meet the requirements of children
with complex needs. Items for lending include sensory and tactile toys and toys which build on fine and
gross motor skills as well as educational and learning games.
needs and their families, in County Kerry. The collection has its base at Castleisland Library. It was established
in 2015 for children who have a variety of needs. This was in response to the growing demand
for intervention services and the necessity for parents and professionals to work together to give the
children the maximum opportunity to develop skills and independence. The library was grant aided by
the Department of Children and Youth Affairs under the Play and Recreation funding scheme.
Kerry Library has over 400 toys; many are purchased specifically to meet the requirements of children
with complex needs. Items for lending include sensory and tactile toys and toys which build on fine and
gross motor skills as well as educational and learning games.
How it works
- Registration with the Kerry Toy and Sensory Resource Collection, requires a letter of referral from an Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Physiotherapist, Play Therapist, Psychotherapist or Psychologist working in Kerry.
- Membership is free to any parent who can provide the above referral form.
- Membership is also available for Special Needs Assistants working in Kerry Primary Schools. A letter of referral from the school principal is required.
- Three items may be borrowed at any one time.
- The loan period is 21 days.The loan period can be extended by renewing the item online, by phone or in person.
- Library staff can assist users of this service but cannot make recommendations on toys & resources. Toys and equipment should only be used on the advice of a designated health professional.
- Toy Library members can request the toys from their local branch or mobile library. They will be notified by email or post once the toy is ready for collection in the library.
- A catalogue of all Toys & Sensory Resources in the collection is available from your local branch or mobile library and to download here.
Kerry Library Toys and Sensory Resources Talks & Workshops Series
Funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund, Kerry Library presented a series of talks and workshops for parents, caregivers and educators in Spring 2020. Some of these presentations will now be made available online while libraries remain closed to the public due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Supporting Anxious Children with Dr. Mary O'Kane
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Kerry Library is delighted to present 'Supporting Anxious Children' a talk by Dr. Mary O'Kane.
All children worry sometimes but for an increasing amount of children managing anxiety can be a real challenge. In this talk, Dr Mary O'Kane explains exactly how anxiety works and how it impacts young children physically and emotionally. She will also offer practical advice on how to support these children helping them to manage their fears and gain confidence. |
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Motivating the Reluctant Reader with Dr. Claire Griffin
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Kerry Library is delighted to present 'Motivating the Reluctant Reader: Lessons from Educational Psychology' by Dr. Claire Griffin
Informed by her experiences as a primary school teacher, an educational psychologist and now a lecturer in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Dr. Griffin presents this talk for parents, educators and care workers. Dr. Griffin explains how reading is a vital life skill, explores potential blocks that might be discouraging your child from reading, discusses what a parent's role can be in encouraging reading, how to increase motivation to read and how best to use rewards to encourage reading. Dr. Griffin will also talk about how best to support children with reading difficulties. |
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Tony the Turtle with Valerie Sheehan
Kerry Library is delighted to be joined by author of the Tony the Turtle book series, Valerie Sheehan. Valerie will be sharing some Tony stories with us as part of our continuing Toys, Technology & Sensory Resources online series.
Valerie has been working as a tutor for autistic children for 10 years and got to see first hand how difficult it is for the child, their parents and siblings after the initial diagnosis. She wanted to put together a story that gave parents some helpful tips, gave siblings an idea on how their brother/sister was feeling and of course wanted a character that the autistic child could identify with. Valerie’s main aim for this series was that it was done in a respectful, easy to follow way, which helped everyone in the family. It is a very overwhelming time and trying to find time to research everything that may help your child is difficult. Tony gives parents an idea on how to help their children with everyday activities and can be a great starting point for further research on autism.
Valerie has been working as a tutor for autistic children for 10 years and got to see first hand how difficult it is for the child, their parents and siblings after the initial diagnosis. She wanted to put together a story that gave parents some helpful tips, gave siblings an idea on how their brother/sister was feeling and of course wanted a character that the autistic child could identify with. Valerie’s main aim for this series was that it was done in a respectful, easy to follow way, which helped everyone in the family. It is a very overwhelming time and trying to find time to research everything that may help your child is difficult. Tony gives parents an idea on how to help their children with everyday activities and can be a great starting point for further research on autism.
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