My collection of toys is mildly embarrassing, in a fantastic sort of way. I have been collecting toys for about 20 years and I have enough to open a small shop. But I use every single item on my shelves. I often get requests from parents at this time of year for good toys that will help their child with their speech and language skills. The best thing for developing speech and language skills is YOU. Interaction is the greatest way to improve language skills, but I also have some favourite toys.
- The number one thing I recommend is avoiding toys with batteries. If your child just needs to hit a button and sit back and be entertained with lights and music, they really are not developing their play skills. Since play skills and language skills are tightly entwined, they are also not developing their language skills.
- Limit toys that force-feed academics. Kids learn through exploration and play. We don’t need to force academics on toddlers and preschoolers. Do not feel pressured to buy educational toys that teach letters, numbers, shapes, and colours…those concepts are best learned during naturally occurring interactions.
- Choose quality over quantity. Rather than purchasing a lot of inexpensive toys, consider buying fewer high-quality toys that are well-constructed and will stand the test of time. Some of my favourite brands are ‘Learning Resources, Fat Brain, Melissa & Doug, Battat, and Playmobil.’
- Remember that books are toys too! Look for interactive books with touch-and-feel pages or flaps that open and close.
Rather than list dozens of great toy options here, I thought it might be easier to link to an Amazon store. This list is done by one of my favourite SLPs. The link is to Amazon in the USA so be careful not to buy directly from the link, but it is my favourite list to go to when I am looking for new toy options: www.Amazon.com/shop/cariebertseminars
If you want to see my toy collection or have specific questions about toy recommendations for your child, send me a message!
I will be providing articles for Macaroni KID Chestermere on a variety of SLP topics, often based on frequent questions that I hear from parents. What questions do you have about the speech and language development of your child? If you want to know, likely other parents do too, and hopefully, I can provide some helpful information through Macaroni KID Chestermere.
Sara Buckingham is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist with over 15 years of experience, including with AHS, various preschools, the public school system, and privately. She has a private practice based out of Chestermere and provides both in-home and virtual visits. You can contact her at: sara@bluewaterspeechtherapy.ca, or through her Facebook
page.
 | Sara Buckingham sara@bluewaterspeechtherapy.ca (403) 671-7261 Follow Sara on Facebook! |
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