Want to encourage language development? Don’t buy toys that talk!

Want to encourage language development? Don’t buy toys that talk this holiday season.

Instead, think of blocks and puzzles, a chalkboard and colored chalk, a tea set for an imaginary tea party, or better yet, give your child a cardboard box! A clinical report published this month by the American Academy of Pediatrics tells parents that toys that incorporate imagination and social engagement are the ticket to language development. What is more social and language-rich than an imaginary tea party? Want cookie? Oh, thank you! Delicious! More tea? Oh, too hot! Better blow!

The best idea is the cardboard box. The possibilities are endless. Perhaps a TV program written and acted by your child in your living room? Adventures of Pocohantas?

Or you can give up some real estate in your living room and build a box tunnel. There is a language opportunity while you build the tunnel “Cutting, tape, scissors, careful!” and a language opportunity when you play with it “Oh no! Where’s Johnny! Is he inside? Is he outside!? Here is he? Shhhh! Let's hide!”

Here’s a great video with ingenious and fun cardboard box projects. (You can turn off the music if it gets repetitive.)

Over to You

What low-tech toy can you pick that you already have at home, or what can you find in your kitchen to play with? What kind of imaginary scenarios can you think of playing with this toy or object? What words can you associate with the scenarios? Sit with your child and play. Have fun!

Or if you are buying a gift for a child you love, what can you buy that is low-tech and interactive such as blocks or a puzzle, or a tea set? Can you include different play scripts with the toy as suggestions for the parents? It will be like a virtual play date!



Photo and video credit to Birute Efe of Playtivities