Four Qualities to Look for in Toys to Promote Speech

Embark on a journey to uncover the essential features that make toys the ideal tools for promoting speech development.

One of my primary missions in my speech and language practice is to educate families on the importance of opening the doors to communication.  Speech is so much more than talking.  It is listening, comprehending, taking turns, gesturing, commenting, asking and answering questions, and requesting to name just a few.  The right toy can set the stage for many of these opportunities.

Throughout the year, parents often ask me for advice on toy/ gift ideas, especially near their child’s birthday and holiday season.  Some toys are better than others, as they contain certain features important for supporting speech and language development. The toys that catch my eye typically have four things in common:

They make HARDLY ANY noise

I am probably not the first SLP to make this comment and I surely will not be the last!  Bottom line is that we want the kids to do the talking.  Sometimes that talking is a sound or part of a word and sometimes it is a word/phrase/sentence.  It’s nice to be able to hear these moments without interruptions. Some of my favorite, quiet, interactive toys are: Critter Clinic Toy Vet Set, Fisher Price Farm House, Stacking Blocks, Ring Stacking Toy that Spins, Barnyard Bingo, Melissa and Doug’s Wooden School Bus, Matchbox Cars, and dolls.

While we are on the topic of noise, do not fall into the trap in thinking that an electronic book option is any better than a noise-making toy.  In my opinion, you should always opt for a quiet interactive book like a lift-the-flap or sensory-enriched option with touch and feel textures if you want your child to progress in his speech and language skills.

Now, having said that, a good, old fashioned single, noise making toy never hurt anyone.  For example, the Elefun makes a whirling sound when activated and I’m okay with that because it motivates kids to request “more”, “go”, and “stop.”  I also love a good ball popper for bringing out some laughter and excitement, which in turns fosters speech and language usage.

The bottom line is: I steer clear of those toys that kids get trigger happy with and all you hear are a million sounds and words all at once.  Not fun.  Personally, I avoided noisy, talkative toys when my son was little and I have lived quite happily in my SLP world for a couple decades without all the noise.

They fit right in with my theme

Herein lies my year-round shopping problem.  I’m always looking to add materials to my theme units.  I cannot help myself.  I have to admit that I love bringing out the Fisher Price Thanksgiving sets and Holiday train, Learning Resources camp fire sets, and Super Duper magnetic fish.

One toy that can be used for birthday, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas themes is Mini presents by Learning Resources. First, the client opens a mini box; takes out the object; and then I label it several times while placing it down on a picture of number one.  This continues until we get to three total choices.  Finally, I ask clients to “get/give me” a targeted object.  This super cute set has been fun for my 4-6 year old clients.  You can even target pronouns by using a baby doll and practicing, “She wants a purple gift.”

When seasonal toys are only available for a short amount of time, I think you get more bang for your buck from them.  It’s the same concept of rotating toys in your home so the old ones feel like new when you cycle through them.  For more details on some of my favorite, summer toys, visit my post on seven of my favorites!

They stand the test of time

This rationale is two part: durability and traditional.  I like a toy that can take a beating and clean easily, so I reach for the plastic Velcro foods and walk right by felt food.  If I cannot clean them fast with a Clorox wipe, then I cannot have them in my therapy closet.  While there are always cute, new toys being released, I stick with traditional themes like Mr. Potato heads to work on learning about body parts.  Another great option is any toy that is alphabet-related.  Two of my favorite hits for kids aged 2-8 years old are ABC puzzles and alphabet toys.  What better way to work on letter-sound recognition than with toys?!

You can perform a few different functions with them

Your child’s speech and language development builds alongside play.  The more opportunities you can create to further communication with your child, the better.  For example, I prefer a small collection Velcro foods over a 100 piece set of foods that are static. 

Having something to do with the object helps you model and teach a functional sequence.  In this case, you can gather all the Velcro foods and sort them to make a salad.  Then, you “cut” each item and put them in a strainer for rinsing.  Finally, you “dry” the slices and transfer them to a bowl.  Modeling these real-life events supports teaching your child to make connections with a sequence he has seen before, which in turns strengthens memory skills.

In conclusion, when it comes to selecting toys for speech development, prioritizing those that make hardly any noise, fit the session’s theme, endure over time, and offer versatility is key. These criteria ensure engagement, continuity, and diverse learning opportunities, laying the foundation for effective speech therapy sessions. By choosing toys thoughtfully, you empower your child to thrive in their language journey while making learning enjoyable and effective.