The Ultimate Toy Guide: Supporting Language Development Through Play

Many parents ask for recommendations on toys and games that promote speech, language, and social skills at home. To address this, I’ve created a three-part series featuring toy recommendations.

Top Picks for Toddlers

1. Cause-and-Effect Toys
• Why They're Great: These toys teach emerging communicators the critical concept of cause and effect - helping them understand that their actions can influence outcomes, an essential component of communication.
• Examples: Simple racetracks, ball-and-hammer toys, pop-up animal toys, and light-up or musical toys with buttons.
• How to Use: Narrate the cause-and-effect process ("Push the button, and the light comes on!") and watch for your child’s engagement or attempts to imitate.
2. Puzzles
• Why They're Great: Puzzles encourage vocabulary building, turn-taking, and interactive play.
• Examples: Animal puzzles, transportation-themed puzzles, or shape puzzles.
• How to Use: Label pieces as you go (“This is a cow. What sound does a cow make?”). Incorporate sounds, prepositions, and gestures. For example, say, “Let’s put it on the board,” and pause to see if your child repeats or imitates your words.
3. Shape Sorters
• Why They're Great: Shape sorters are excellent for teaching vocabulary, colors, and early requesting skills.
• Examples: Classic shape-sorting cubes or themed sets with colorful shapes.
• How to Use: Hold up two shapes and ask, “Do you want the blue or the red one?” Whether your child points, reaches, or attempts to say the word, you can model the correct name to encourage communication.
4. Books with Repetitive Phrases
• Why They're Great: Repetitive language helps first-word users and emerging communicators practice and anticipate common phrases, supporting early language skills.
• Examples: Books like "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" or "Dear Zoo."
• How to Use: After several readings, pause before the final word in a repetitive sentence to encourage your child to “fill in the blank.”
5. Wind-Up Toys
• Why They're Great: These toys provide natural breaks in play, creating opportunities for your child to practice functional language like “help,” “go,” or “more.”
• Examples: Wind-up cars, animals, or characters.
• How to Use: Pause before winding up the toy again, prompting your child to use words or gestures to request help.

Creative Play Ideas

Maximize your child’s engagement by introducing playful twists:

• Shape Sorters: Stack the shapes to make towers, then knock them over together while saying “Crash!”
• Books: Use silly voices or sing the words to capture attention.
• Puzzles: Pretend to put pieces in the wrong place and wait for your child to correct you.

Why It Matters

These toys and interactive strategies build essential skills while fostering bonding and fun. By incorporating visual support, narration, and playful interactions, you can support your toddler’s language development in a natural, enjoyable way.