If we actually spent the bulk of this article listing toys that promote speech and language development, we’d be here all day. So let’s go a little deeper than a mere list and explain WHY these toys are so important and HOW they can benefit your child.
When children are very young, their brains are like sponges soaking up everything around them. This is the ideal time to introduce them to as many new things as possible, including toys that will help them develop their speech and language skills. Enrolling your children in early education, whether through public programs, private pre-schools, toddler learning facilities or Montessori’s, will have a tremendously positive impact.
One of the best ways to promote speech and language development is through play. Playing with your child provides them with a rich environment full of new sights, sounds, and experiences they can learn from. And what better way to play than with toys?
Toys that promote speech and language development can do so in various ways. For example, some toys can help your child learn new words by providing them with a visual cue along with the word itself. For example, a toy that lights up and makes a sound when your child presses a button can help them learn the word “light” or “sound.”
Other toys can help your child practice their pronunciation of words by repeating words back to them. This is especially important for sounds that are difficult to pronounce, such as the letter “r.” Or by speaking clearly and slowly when they play with the toy. And still, others can help your child develop their listening skills by requiring them to pay close attention to the toy in order to make it work.
Here’s a quick “best of” list for reference:
- Blocks: The classic toy that comes in all shapes and sizes
- Houses/Farms/Barns
- Active Toys: Toys that get children up and moving
- Digging/sand Toys
- Vehicles
- Play Food
- Bubbles
- Puzzles
- Crayons
What is considered an educational toy?
Again, toys like blocks, puzzles, and simple construction kits are all great examples of educational toys that encourage hands-on learning. Another thing to look for in an educational toy is whether or not it helps your child develop cognitive skills. These are skills like memory, concentration, and attention span.
In general, any toy that encourages your child to use their imagination, experiment, and problem-solve is going to be an excellent educational toy.
Of course, some toys are specifically designed to help children with speech and language development. These kinds of toys usually have features that make them more engaging for children, such as lights, sounds, and music. And they often have games or activities built into them that help children practice specific speech and language skills.
Some examples of these kinds of toys are:
- Talking dolls (not the creepy kind!)
- Electronic toys that speak or sing (fire engines, buses, Elmo!)
- Flashcards
- Toy phones
- Musical Instruments (my favorite learning toy to give and play with)
These are just a few of the many different toys available to help promote speech and language development. And while they can be a great way to give your child a head start, it’s important to remember that they are just tools.
The most important thing is that you spend time playing and interacting with your child. After all, that’s what they’ll remember the most – the time you spent together.
Back to the musical instruments being used as a teaching tool…musical instruments can also be used to promote speech and language development. One way to do this is to have your child name the instrument and the sound it makes.
Most widely used in math instruction, musical instruments are both emotionally and spiritually uplifting and excellent for promoting fine and gross motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
How is math used in music for kids?
Teaching math through music benefits students, teachers, and parents. Children who study music tend to have greater success in mathematics, not only of the benefit of the training they receive in math but also because they are better able to focus on their work. In addition, they are more productive when engaged in an activity that uses both hemispheres of the brain. Aural skills are also developed, critical to reading music, mapping note values onto mathematical operations, and recognizing patterns.
With all of these benefits for students who are taught math through music, some teachers have successfully found ways to integrate it into their curriculum without making it too time-consuming.
Music has many benefits for children’s development, including cognitive, academic, and even social skills. In addition, studies have shown that children who study music tend to do better in other subjects, such as mathematics, because of the training they receive in areas such as pattern recognition and memory.
While some students may seem to be naturally talented at playing an instrument or singing, it is a skill that requires practice and concentration. Children who study music develop skills that can be used for their other academic abilities. Memory and focus are increased with musical study, as well as mapping note value onto mathematical operations and recognizing patterns.
Music may help children benefit from many advantages, not the least of which is its potential to teach teachers and parents. For example, children who learn to play an instrument have better study skills, improved academic success in reading and memorization, and a higher chance of doing well in other areas, such as mathematics.
How do educational toys benefit learning?
Through play, children can learn critical skills they will need later in life, such as problem-solving, cause and effect, compromising, conflict resolution, sharing, motor skills development (both fine and gross), creative exploration, and imagination.
Toys that promote speech and language development
In conclusion, when selecting toys for your child, remember to look for toys that promote speech and language development. These toys can be a great way to give your child a head start, but it’s important to remember that they are just tools. The most important thing is that you spend time playing and interacting with your child.