Present for Down Syndrome Toddler Christening?

[Octoposse]

We have been invited to the toddler christening of a beautiful Down Syndrome boy. I asked his (also very beautiful!) mum about a present, who replied "Don't feel you have to, but anything practical".

Mmmmmmmmm. Any ideas? Anything thought to be particularly good from a developmental perspective?

[missdiane]

I've always been told that children with downs are visual learners, are you buying online or from a shop?
Definitely check out or google 'cheap disability aids' there is a website with a similar name that the DS community swear by
I've not purchased from there yet but it's on my to do list
They are sometimes delayed with speech so I would buy a gift that would help with this

[missdiane]

But I'm assuming toddler isn't talking yet, how old are they?

[hedgefinder]

I would be going for the same type of toy as any other toddler

[Evil Jack]

Just something worth bearing in mind, is that it's best not to refer to him as a "Down Syndrome Boy".
He's a little boy (firstly) who happens to have Down's Syndrome (secondly).
You wouldn't say cancer lady, right?

It might not seem important, but it is.

Anyhow, he is probably growing up using Makaton sign language to help with his communication, so an ideal gift would be a book with pictures of objects that he can recognise and learn the signs for (it does not need to be an actual sign language book). As above, think visual.

[Octoposse]

Only about a year old - I say 'toddler' as not the usual tiny tot at a Christening. We have a three year old so I know my way around children's toys, but wondering if there were specific benefits to be had.

[Neil.D]

hedgefinder said:

I would be going for the same type of toy as any other toddler

+1.

Anything else could be seen as insulting.

[missdiane]

My child has Down's syndrome and if He was gifted with something different and 'thought about' that would aid his development than just a toy, I'd appreciate that present more, but every parent is different.

[missdiane]

Evil Jack said:

Just something worth bearing in mind, is that it's best not to refer to him as a "Down Syndrome Boy".
He's a little boy (firstly) who happens to have Down's Syndrome (secondly).
You wouldn't say cancer lady, right?

It might not seem important, but it is.

Anyhow, he is probably growing up using Makaton sign language to help with his communication, so an ideal gift would be a book with pictures of objects that he can recognise and learn the signs for (it does not need to be an actual sign language book). As above, think visual.

We just bought a DVD from sing n sign, never got round to using it as my son was hospitalised but this could be an option too

[Octoposse]

Thanks - order placed with Sing n Sign . . . I'll look for something for the parents as well.

Apologies for lack of knowledge . . .

[RISK]

Duplo?

[missdiane]

Octoposse said:

Thanks - order placed with Sing n Sign . . . I'll look for something for the parents as well.

Apologies for lack of knowledge . . .

I wouldn't worry, some parents get really funny about saying downs syndrome child instead of child with but not all
I've even had a mum tell me off for not correcting people

[Antonia]

missdiane said:

I wouldn't worry, some parents get really funny about saying downs syndrome child instead of child with but not all
I've even had a mum tell me off for not correcting people

Indeed, my brother has Down syndrome and he is very proud to tell anyone who will listen, for him it makes him feel special. He is 42 now.

If you really want to make a point you can say that eponymous names are frowned upon and the correct term is "Trisomy 21 child" ;-) But using the child's name is always a winner.

OP - Hope you enjoy the christening.