Toys
Toys to help my toddler talk
from a Speech and Language Therapist
Hi!
Let me start this off by saying I am a Speech and Language Therapist, which means I spend almost all my time thinking about communication. A physio might have other toy suggestions if they are focussed on getting your little one walking, or a teacher might suggest something else if they are thinking about learning numbers. These are the toys that I have used and love and know they will help with communication.
You are your child’s best toy
Firstly you don’t need a mountain of toys or need the latest gadget to get your child communicating. Often the times I see the best communication is when we are playing together, that might be peek a boo or chasing or maybe it’s just a little routine you’ve made up together. Those moments where your little one is giggling and having a great time. Have a think about when you see that and what’s happening. It’s very likely that in those moments you are encouraging your little one to:
take a turn
to tell you what they want
or to tell you “I want more”
What about if we added a little pause in there to allow your little one to take a turn. So, you might tickle them and then wait before you do it again. Just a few seconds to see if they will communicate that they want more tickles. Maybe they giggle, reach for you or say “tickles” any of these is your child saying- I want more! It’s communication.
These are the type of toys that teach your child- when I push something, something happens.
This is the basis of lots of communication: I ask for something and I get it
These also provide lots of opportunities for modelling language- ready, steady, go. Open/closed. Hello/goodbye. Some of the toys will need you to help or to show your little one how to use them. Another great opportunity to communicate by asking for help
Think stacking cups, building blocks. Those types of toys that go inside or on top of each other.
These can be great fun, not just for building but maybe your little one likes to bang them together. Can you copy them and see if they copy you back?
Language is learned through copying and this gives you a great opportunity to do this.
You can model words and phrases like- up, falling down, building, in
I love an inset puzzle, the type where you put the piece inside a pre cut shape.
This just leads itself to naming the objects- cow, pig, duck.
Try and find some with the picture in the space as well as on the piece that goes in (it will also help you when you try and tidy up!)
You can create more opportunities for communication by:
Asking them to choose- who shall we put in next pig or cow?
Waiting for them to ask for another piece from you, rather than giving them all the bits in one go
These are great for your little one figuring how things fit together and how things go in.
As with the inset puzzles you can offer choices and create opportunities by giving a few bits at a time and waiting to see if they ask for more.
I often help by using my hands to cover the wrong holes and using phrases like “twist it” “push it”
I’ve linked to a few of my favourites above
Finally- an honourable mention for bubbles. I’m not talking bubble machines where you press a button and get loads of bubbles. No, I want the old school ones that you blow and a few come out. This involves you in the interaction as very few toddlers can blow the bubbles themselves.
By doing this you involve yourself in the fun, your child needs you to do it so you create an opportunity for them to request. I think if I only had to choose one toy to bring on a home visit it would be bubbles!
Ideas
I hope this has given you some ideas of toys you probably already have lots of these toys but maybe you’ve now got some new ideas of how to use them.
If your little one is struggling with their communication and you’d like some help please do reach out, fill in the form below or send me a message and I’ll get back to you.
Until next time you can find me on social media chatting more
Suzanne
