Children with autism need more attention and understanding compared to other kids. If you are caring for one, then you need to find the best activities for a 3-year-old autistic child that will make them feel welcome while dealing with the condition’s symptoms and their unique learning style and preference.
The best activities for them are specifically those that engage them and make them ready and willing to learn. As much as possible, choose activities that they can either do on their own or when in a group. Ensure that the activities match their preferred items, topics, and interests so you can enhance their benefits to those with autism, especially in terms of learning.
Top Activities for a 3-year-Old Child with Autism
Looking for activities for a non-verbal child with autism is kind of tricky and challenging. Despite that, we have managed to compile a set of activities designed to provide plenty of benefits to an autistic child.
For one, the activities can help in honing and building the fine motor, communication, and sensory play skills of children, among many others. Basically, they can gain such benefits even with their condition with the aid of these specific activities:
Calm-down and sensory bottles
Make sure that once you already have the calm-down and sensory bottles, you fill them with smaller items preferred by your child. These can help make the bottles more fun and visually appealing.
For instance, you can put some hair gel, glitter, and water inside the bottle. That way, you can see the glitter slowly falling through the bottle. You can also put in some paper clips to entertain a child who has autism.
That way, you will be able to use magnets as a means of attracting the paper clips, making it possible for them to move through the whole bottle. You can customize these items based on the preference of your child and the purpose you want them to serve. Aside from hair gel, you can also add other filler materials inside the bottle, like water beads.
Shape making
Another great activity for a 3-year-old autistic child is shape-making. It is a great matching and learning activity for kids with autism as it introduces them to the concept behind forming puzzles.
For instance, you can give them a craft stick with only a half shape so they can look for the other half and complete the shape. This can greatly help in boosting the fine motor skills of your autistic child.
This particular activity actually requires you to use up to twenty craft sticks as well as different colors of markers. Put a couple of craft sticks side by side then let the child draw their preferred shape but ensure that they do so in a way that upon splitting the sticks, it can equally give two parts.
Give your child the chance to make their desired number of craft stick pairs. They can then combine the sticks so they can start matching the pieces to form the right shapes. Aside from helping them recognize different shapes, this activity can also help toddlers understand what symmetry is, motivating them to draw symmetric shapes, too.
Matching games
You can also try matching, which is an activity that you can easily customize, making it perfect for autistic children since they love order and simplicity more. The good thing about these matching games is that you have a wide range of options.
For instance, you can get a piece of paper and draw a few simple shapes there. After that, you can cut the paper in half, so there will be two parts of the shape that your child can match.
Another variation of the game is to write certain words, like cats, on index cards. After that, you can draw the written object on another index card, making it possible for them to match the written word to the drawing or illustration.
Depending on the skill of your child, you will find this game useful in making them learn and recognize numbers, animals, colors, and foods, among many others.
Memory games
Kids who are dealing with autism actually have several strengths – one of which is their strong memory. Observe the ability of your child to memorize things. If you feel like they excel in such an area, you can set up a memory game that will surely guide them in sharpening such skills even further.
Start this activity by laying out four to six cards that match, giving your child the opportunity to examine them. Once done, you can turn the cards over and then ask your child to give you the exact spot for a specific card.
Once you notice your child mastering this memory game, start increasing the number of cards you are letting them guess. You can also take advantage of the numerous memory games that are easily accessible right now. Go for those that feature the favorites of your child, like farm animals, cartoon characters, and fun and bright colors, among others.
Game of tag
A physical activity, in the form of the classic yet well-modified game, is tag, which is perfect for those who have autism since it not only encourages exercise but also lets them learn about a few beneficial skills and have fun at the same time.
When doing this activity, make sure that you are in an indoor area or yard that is well-secured. This should prioritize your child’s safety while defining boundaries. Also, what’s great about the tag game is that you can easily make them adapt to your child based on their unique skills and requirements.
When playing tag with your toddler, consider wearing a special vest or any other accessory, so your child can better grasp the concept. You can also use visual aids that will teach the child the basics of rules and the concepts behind the tag game.
Tactile collage
A child with autism can get extremely overwhelmed because of specific textures and sensations. In most cases, they would also like to avoid creating a mess. With that, you can let them play a sensory collage, which is an incredible way to let them explore various textures and materials, like number stickers, foam letters, news clippings in different colors, and magazines.
You can also use other items, like uncooked noodles, glitter, and aluminum foil. Make it a point to enhance your autistic child’s creativity while letting them ease into several sensory experiences that are new to them by putting in various elements every time you use it.
Sensory table
It would also be a great idea to make a sensory table at home. Your autistic child can use it for exploration, pouring, sorting, digging, sifting, squishing, discovering, making a mess, learning, and playing, among many other things.
In other words, you genuinely have numerous options when it comes to the sensory table. You are also allowed to put a lot of things and items in there, including water and soap, shaving cream, paper shreds, and dry pasta or potato flakes.
Ice painting
Another activity that will surely awaken the senses of an autistic child is ice painting. Kids with autism specifically like ice painting as it lets them learn and understand the liquid and solid states of things. It also lets them recognize colors and observe any change that takes place.
What’s even better about this crafty activity for a 3-year-old autistic child is that one can easily set it up. The first thing you have to do is to get an ice cube tray where you can pour the acrylic paint into each well.
After that, freeze the tray of ice cubes using a craft stick in every well filled with paint. Let the paint freeze – after which, your child can already raise their creativity. Bring the cube tray outside and wait for the paint to dry or freeze.
Your child can then take the frozen paints away from the tray, giving them the chance to swirl each cube and form certain designs on a piece of paper. As much as possible, use watercolor paper when doing this activity. The reason is that you just have to wait for the frozen paint to melt before you can start using it to form more interesting designs.
Conclusion
With the activities for a 3-year-old autistic child mentioned in this article, you will have an easier time caring for your toddler. You will never run out of options regarding the things they can do to entertain and engage them.
What’s great about the activities here is that they also aim to teach your toddler certain things that are vital for their overall development.