Children's sensory desk

[AshPatel]

Hello,

I am an A level student doing product design.

I am designing a children's desk to solve the problem of lack of focus and interest in learning when at home. It will incorporate sensory toys and will provide a space for children to work on their motor skills as well as their school work.

So far I aim to design this product for 3-6 year olds and it would be lovely to have some feedback from my target market. If you are a parent or have good feedback please may you answer the following questions:

1. Do you own any products that help to develop your child's motor skills?
2. If you do, what do you like and dislike about the products?
3. What is your child's favourite toy and why?
4. Would you invest in a multifunctional children's desk that is affordable and sustainable?
5. Do you think coronavirus has had a negative impact on the way your child learns?

Thank you.

My own children are grown now, but, I don't mind putting my twopenny's worth in if it helps .
I also work with children with SEND.

I rather like the idea of a desk with inbuilt sensory and fiddle toy - great idea. However my thinking would be that it would need to be for older children, as 3-6 year olds wouldn't be expected to sit and work at a desk anyway.

I am also interested in you using 'motor skills' in this context.
I think you would be better deciding who it is for / what need it is meeting.
There are children who need sensory stimulation to help them to focus.
There are children who have poor fine motor skills (and also children with poor gross motor skills but I guess you are thinking fine motor if you are talking about a desk ?), but I wouldn't say they are the same children - except for the exception where they have more than one additional need.

There's a great list of activities to work on a child's fine motor control that has been shared on MN for years (though, thinking about it, I haven't seen it particularly recently). Everyone owns things that can help with fine motor control, just from collecting things you would have in your house.

Sorry, I've not answered your specific questions but I hope that helps, and, if not, I've lifted you off 'unanswered threads'