Lekotek
Lekotek, Swedish for "play library" is an international program to lend
Assistive Technology, toys and expertise to disabled children. The first lekotek opened in 1963 in
Stockholm,
Sweden. From there the concept spread to other Scandinavian countries,
Europe and the rest of the world. For example, there are over 50 lekoteks in the
US. The first American lekotek opened in
Evanston, Illinois in 1980. The first US lekoteks were founded by Sally DeVencentis and Sharon Draznin.
The underlying concept is that early intervention through play with adapted toys and technology can teach disabled children to deal with the "normal" world. Some of theoretical basis for the lekotek movement comes from work done by a British pyschologist, Elizabeth Newson. Her book "Toys and Playthings, " (ISBN 0394428307) discusses the effect of play on child development.
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