12/10/2025
Holiday shopping? Let's make those gifts work double duty! 🎄
Speech-language pathologists recommend classic toys like books, blocks, and dolls because they promote language development, build conversation skills, and support pretend play.
Here are our TOP picks for gifts that support speech and language development:
📚 BOOKS (ages 0-5+)
The #1 toy we recommend! Books are multi-purpose language learning tools that help with labeling, predictions, questions, vocabulary, and pre-literacy skills like rhyming.
🧩 TOYS WITH PIECES (ages 2-5)
They facilitate turn-taking, requesting, following directions, labeling vocabulary, and descriptive language.
🏠 OPEN-ENDED PLAY TOYS (ages 2-6)
Help develop pretend play, joint attention, imitation skills, and speech sound acquisition.
🐄 FARM/ZOO ANIMALS (ages 1-5)
Animals are excellent for developing pretend play and learning action words like eat, drink, jump, fly, dance, and sleep.
💭 BUBBLES (all ages!)
Bubbles invite children to engage through turn-taking and eye contact—both required skills before learning to talk. They're perfect for practicing words like "up," "down," "open," "blow," "pop"!
⚽ BALLS (ages 1-5+)
Ball play naturally incorporates action words like "go," "bounce," "throw," "catch," "roll," and teaches turn-taking and social sharing.
🎨 ART SUPPLIES (ages 2-5+)
They are perfect for practicing colors, requesting, describing, and following directions!
PRO TIP: Children get the most benefit when they use toys WITH adult loved ones. You are your child's best "toy"!
What to AVOID: Skip battery-operated toys and electronic gadgets. The best toys are timeless ones that don't require batteries and allow your child to be in control of their own play.
Which gift are you most excited to add to your cart? 🛒