How to Develop Strong Speech, Language, and Play Skills
Part One:
The Top 5 Toys to Buy
One of the most common questions I receive from parents is “What toys can I buy for my child?” in relation to developing their speech and language skills.
As parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or even a family friend, it can be overwhelming to walk into a toy a store or glance online at the myriad toys available to children these days.
Toys can light up, spin, twirl, and promise a multitude of results all the way from teaching your child their ABCs to turning them into a brilliant mathematician.
I want to break down some common toys available and why they may or may not deliver on their promises. The focus of this article will be on younger childhood, ages 2-5, but the same principles apply to older children.
Let's take a look at my recommended toys! These are my favorite toys to develop appropriate speech, language, and play skills!
Let the fun begin!
1. Farm Animal and Barn Set
A good farm animal and barn set is the type of toy that can grow with your child. I have used a set like this for children ages 2-7. I have worked on labeling, animal sounds, labeling actions, using longer sentences, prepositions, singing songs, and a variety of pretend play activities. If you worry about your child becoming bored with the pieces- change up the game! As they get older, sets like this offer a variety of pretend play opportunities that are vital to their development and emotional well being.
Meet The Author
Written by:
Natalie Godfrey, MS, CCC-SLP
Natalie is a speech language pathologist who is currently employed at Speechcenter Inc. Natalie holds a BA in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and a MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from ECU. She has had extensive experience working in early intervention with toddlers, preschool aged patients, and school-aged children.