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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Bridget from Charlotte, NC is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Bridget's classroom raised $457

Learning Through Play: Communication, Connection, and Sensory Exploration

Help me give my students engaging toys, pretend-play materials, building sets, games, and sensory tools that encourage communication while meeting students' diverse learning needs.

Classroom photo
Ms. Bridget profile photo
Ms. Bridget Hickory Grove Elementary School
Charlotte, NC Grades PreK-2

My Project

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I work with students who are developing critical communication skills, including children with language delays, autism spectrum disorder, articulation disorders, and social communication challenges. For many of these students, learning happens best through play.

Play-based learning creates meaningful opportunities for students to practice communication in natural and motivating ways.

Through hands-on activities, students learn to request, answer questions, follow directions, take turns, solve problems, and interact with peers. However, many of the toys and sensory materials that support this important work are limited or heavily used.

This project will provide engaging toys, pretend-play materials, building sets, games, and sensory tools that encourage communication while meeting students' diverse learning needs. Sensory toys are particularly important for many autistic students because they can help increase focus, support self-regulation, reduce anxiety, and create opportunities for meaningful interaction and language development.

These materials will be used daily during speech-language therapy sessions to target vocabulary, language comprehension, social communication, conversation skills, and emotional regulation. Students will learn while playing, exploring, creating, and connecting with others in a supportive and engaging environment.

Many of my students struggle not only with communication but also with sensory regulation. Some students become overwhelmed by their environments, while others seek sensory input to help them stay focused and engaged. When students' sensory needs are supported, they are often better able to participate in learning and communication activities.

Sensory toys such as fidget tools, tactile manipulatives, sensory bins, textured materials, weighted lap pads, and calming resources provide opportunities for students to regulate their bodies while practicing important speech and language skills. These tools can help students remain engaged during therapy sessions and make communication practice more successful and enjoyable.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

25 students impacted 1 donor
Ms. Bridget Hickory Grove Elementary School Grades PreK-2

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Charlotte, NC View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

25 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Chompin' Charlie Game - Feed The Squirrel Acorns and Race to Collect Them When They Scatter by Goliath • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
Liberty Imports Bucket of Pirate Action Figures Toys Playset with Pirate Ship, Boat, Treasure Chest, Cannons, Shark for Kids Imaginary Pretend Play • Amazon Business $28.68 1 $28.68
Construction Sensory Bin,Sand Kit Gift for boys girls, Sensory Play Toys | Sand Kit with Sensory Sand, Glow Stones, Excavator, Construction Toys for Creative Play Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $22.99 1 $22.99
hand2mind Grab that Monster Fine Motor Activity Set, Ages 3+ | Occupational Therapy Toys, Fine Motor Skills Toys for Toddlers, play Therapy Games for Kids, Preschool Learning Activities • Amazon Business $21.49 1 $21.49
Matching Game Preschool Board Games for Kids 2-in-1 Picture Cards, Match and Category Games, Speech Therapy Materials, Educational Games for Kids 3 and Up • Amazon Business $20.79 1 $20.79
Melissa & Doug Felt Food Mix And Match Pizza Play Food Set - 42 Pieces Felt Pizza Play Set For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Toy For Toddlers And Kids Ages 2+ | 42 Pieces, Pizza Pan, Delivery Box, 40 Felt Pizza Toppings & Slices, Pretend Play Food Toy, Toddler Toys for Kids, Ages 2+ • Amazon Business $20.02 1 $20.02
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Mermaid - Mermaid Toys and Sensory Bins for Toddlers, Sensory Box and Bin Filler, Toddler Activities and Gifts for Girls (Ages 3+) • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Shark Bite -- Roll the Die and Fish for Colorful Sea Creatures Before the Shark Bites Game! by Pressman Blue Sky, 5" • Amazon Business $19.79 1 $19.79
Scientoy Fidget Toy Set, 35 Pcs Sensory Toy for ADD, OCD, Autistic Children, Adults, Anxiety Autism to Stress Relief and Anti Anxiety with Motion Timer, Perfect for Classroom Reward with Gift Box • Amazon Business $16.95 1 $16.95
TOMY Pop Up Pirate Family Action Game - 2-4 Players - Ages 4 Years+ | Family Game Night, Easy Toddler Games, 3 Ways to Play, Great for Pirate Themed Birthday Parties or Indoor Recess • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Sooez 20 Pack Mesh Zipper Pouch Bags, A4 Letter Size, Classroom Zipper Bags | Waterproof Bag Organizer with Label Pocket, School Office Teacher Student Supplies, Storage Pouches Board Game Toy Storage • Amazon Business $15.97 1 $15.97
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Outer Space Toys - Preschool and Toddler Sensory Toys, Kids Gifts for Boys and Girls Ages 3-5+, 10.25 x 14.5 x 4.75 inches • Amazon Business $14.97 1 $14.97
Dot Markers for Toddlers Kids, Bingo Daubers Washable Art Markers 8 Colors | Toddlers Arts and Crafts Supplies, Kids Painting Drawing Coloring Supplies, Dot Paint Craft Kit Preschool Learning,Non-Toxic • Amazon Business $12.34 1 $12.34
Genuine Fred MATCH UP Memory Snack Tray, Fun Interactive Snack Game for Kids, Travel Friendly Food Tray, Perfect Snacktivity for Picky Eaters • Amazon Business $11.97 1 $11.97
Orchard Toys Shopping List Game - New Art Race to Collect Your Groceries in This Fun Memory Game, Age 3-7, 2-4 Players • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99
I Spy With My Little Eye Construction Vehicles: I Spy Book For Kids Ages 2-5, Toddlers and Preschoolers, Fun Picture Puzzle Game with Trucks, Excavators, Diggers and more • Amazon Business $10.59 1 $10.59
Let's Play I Spy Vehicles: I spy Fun Picture Puzzle Book for 2-5 Year Olds girls and boys Adding Up Book,Interactive Picture Book for Preschoolers & Toddlers (Vehicles Activity Book) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
I Spy - Everything!: A Fun Guessing Game for 2-4 Year Olds (I Spy Book Collection for Kids) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Play Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Assorted Colors, Non-Toxic 2 oz. Cans, Back to School Gifts, Prizes, & Party Favors, Preschool Toys for Kids, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $7.88 1 $7.88
Shark Bite! (Crunchy Board Books) • Amazon Business $6.28 1 $6.28

Materials cost

$327.65

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $25.56

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.91

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$388.12

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$68.49

Total project goal

$456.61

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $456.61

1 Donor

-$456.61

Donations toward project cost

-$388.12

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$68.49

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Bridget and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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