ABSTRACT
The greater the child's limitations, the more pressing the need to make the most of her remaining opportunities by deliberately planning play experiences. In remedial or compensatory play, this chapter aims to encourage and build upon the child's inclination to explore and play in a way which is tailor-made for her own requirements. Gradually, with the mother's help and encouragement, play comes to include and focus on toys and playthings. At this stage the baby depends on her mother, or play partner, to make toys physically available to her and to return them if they fall or roll away from her. With the handicapped child, however, these age levels are misleading unless related to the appropriate developmental stages. Mouthing and chewing can be a real nuisance if they are so removed from a developmental context that they limit the range of toys that can be given to a child.
