Introduction
Who doesn’t love toys? Toys are not just for fun; they can also help develop various skills in children, such as cognitive abilities, problem-solving, social skills, speech, and language. Instead of buying the latest trending toys that might end up gathering dust, it’s better to review them and see how they can be useful in multiple ways. Here, I review the best toys for speech therapy based on my practical experience. This article can serve as a reference for both SLPs and parents.
What to Look for When Buying Toys
1. Promoting Imagination
Toys that promote creativity keep kids engaged for longer. A single-use toy will quickly bore them, leading to a desire for new toys. Creative toys can be used in multiple ways, fulfilling the primary wish of all parents: long-lasting engagement.
2. Multiple Usages
One-time use toys are not beneficial for your child or your wallet. Toys that can be used in different ways keep kids engaged for a long time and save time when you run out of ideas.
3. No Batteries
Battery-operated toys often halt curiosity and learning, as they tend to have constant sounds that are harmful if heard continuously. Such toys also limit opportunities for talking and interaction during play.
4. Toys That Grow with Your Child
Choose toys that can be fun at different ages. For instance, animal models can be used for both play and storytelling as your child grows.
5. Toys Helping Exploration and Problem-Solving
Toys that encourage kids to figure things out on their own build logical thinking and problem-solving skills, fostering persistence and creativity.
Best Toys Review
1. Nesting Cups or Ring Stacker
Why: Versatile and engaging, these toys target various skills like social, problem-solving, language, and articulation. They also spark imagination. How: Stack them, break towers, hide objects, talk about colors, count, discuss adjectives, teach prepositions, and more. Link: Fisher-Price Stacking Cups
2. Blocks
Why: Blocks come in all shapes and sizes, promoting language, problem-solving, and social skills. Children can create anything they imagine. How: Follow directions, work on verbs, adjectives, prepositions, speech sounds, and narration skills, and solve problems to build stable structures. Link: Building Blocks
3. Lego
Why: Lego promotes imagination, teamwork, frustration management, perseverance, and lowers stress and anxiety. It also enhances patience, focus, and concentration. How: Expand utterances, build vocabulary, identify the odd one out, follow directions, and practice sounds and conversation skills. Link: Lego Creative Building
4. Magna Tiles
Why: These translucent, magnetic tiles offer endless imaginative play possibilities, more interesting than regular toys. How: Target spatial concepts, shapes, colors, sizes, 3-D creations, cooperative play, descriptors, and problem-solving. Link: Magna Tiles
5. Reusable Sticker Pad by Melissa and Doug
Why: These sticker pads feature various scenarios, targeting multiple skills and usable with older kids as well. How: Develop social skills, narration, imagination, fine motor skills, cognition, language skills, answering questions, and roleplay. Link: Melissa and Doug Reusable Sticker Pad
6. Farm Set, Dollhouse, or Kitchen Set
Why: Ideal for no-prep sessions, these sets encourage hours of imagination and role play, targeting multiple skills. How: Develop language skills, descriptive words, memory, and complex pretend play scenarios. Link: Kitchen Toys
7. Animal, Fruit, and Vehicle Set
Why: Universally loved by kids, these sets are great for active play and unprepared sessions. How: Use for articulation drills, sequencing skills, categories, memory, and more. Link: Animal Set, Fruit Set
8. Jenga
Why: Suitable for older kids, Jenga can also be used like blocks for younger ones. How: Classic Jenga play, analytical thinking, fine motor skills, creating structures, and articulation drills. Link: Jenga Classic
9. Twister
Why: Fun for all ages, Twister engages both older and younger kids and even adults. How: Develop fine and gross motor skills, social skills, turn-taking, cooperation, teamwork, and following directions. Link: Twister Game
10. Puppets
Why: Puppets are powerful tools for unprepared sessions, captivating children and encouraging interaction. How: Target intonation patterns, social stories for autistic kids, roleplay, language skills, and following directions. Link: Hand Puppets
11. Potato Head
Why: This seemingly silly toy is a hit with kids. How: Teach emotions, speech and drama skills, body parts, and create imaginary stories. Link: Mr. Potato Head
12. Sensory Bin
Why: Sensory bins are highly engaging, especially for autistic kids, and bring joy to sessions. How: Hide objects in the bin to target vocabulary, object use, articulation drills, and expanding sentences. Link: You can make these at home using everyday items like rice, shaving foam, pasta, etc.
13. Bubbles
Why: Bubbles are magical for kids, grabbing their attention and serving as great motivators. How: Practice turn-taking, articulation drills, and two-word phrases. The possibilities are endless. Link: You do not need a link for this!
By carefully choosing toys that promote imagination, multiple usages, no batteries, growth with your child, and problem-solving, you can significantly enhance your child’s speech therapy sessions.
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