10/03/2025
Here are some toys for early language development recommended by a speech language pathologist:
1. Pretend play games:
* Great way to have open dialogue
* Expands vocabulary knowledge
* Low-pressure environment
* Encourages turn-taking
2. Lock and key games:
* Enhances problem solving skills
* Helps with following directions
* Builds core vocabulary (open, help, again, in, out)
3. Mr. Potato Head:
* Learn body parts
* Target verbs: put, take, remove, attach, move, push, pull
* Encourages descriptive language
* Encourages requesting
* Talk about emotions
4. Interactive games (Beware of the Bear)
* Turn-taking skills
* Builds vocabulary (“bear,” “honey,” “steal,” “sneak,” and “wake up)
* Encourages expressive language (“I’m scared” or “I got caught”)
** Tip: You don’t have to be a “rule follower”during these games. Just pull it out and see what happens.
5. Car, high-interest play figurines, wind-up toys:
* Good for sensory bins
* Can be added into any game
* Good for story telling and narrative skills
* Encourages social language use