Here is the ultimate list of the MUST HAVE toys for preschool speech therapy, recommended by an experienced SLP!
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Ages 1-2
My toy recommendations for this age range are simple toys. For this age range in particular I prefer montessori toys. These toys are kid powered, not battery powered. They can be colorful but don’t light up or make a bunch of electronic noises. These toys are designed to ground the child in reality in order to help them learn about the world around them. At this age range, children are learning to say a few words and can follow some simple one-step directions as they near 2. Kids this age generally prefer independent play or parallel play (playing next to a peer, but not with a peer). Here are my must haves for ages 1-2:
Learning Resources Peekaboo Learning Farm
PlanToys Wooden Rainbow Baby Roller with Sound
Ages 2-3
For this age I love toys that teach body parts, colors, and common objects. Vocabulary explodes at this age. This is when imaginative play begins to develop. This is also when children begin to play with other children and not just next to other children. So I like to have toys that encourage that as well. Farm animals and cars are a fantastic way to get children who aren’t saying words to at least make sounds, such as animal (“moo”) or car sounds (“vroom/beep-beep”). Here are my must have toys for ages 2-3:
Baby doll with bottle and pretend feeding set
Melissa And Doug Learning Puzzles
Ages 3-4
Play skills should be in full swing at this age. Children should be starting to sort some items. They should be learning more colors, and can build more complex things with blocks, instead of just stacking them. Imaginative play is huge at this age. As kids get older, games that teach social skills become important as well. Please see Michelle’s blog on the best games for social skills. Here are my must have toys for ages 3-4:
Cate & Levi – Hand Puppet Making Kit
Early Language Activity Boxes- Complete Set
The Importance of Play in Language Development
It’s so important to focus speech therapy around play with toddlers. It holds their attention while they are learning so many key vocabulary words, how to follow directions, language and social skills. I hope these toy recommendations come in handy on your journey as speech therapists or teachers working with toddlers.
((This blog post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You don’t pay any more by clicking my link (and I actually find the best prices for you!) but I make a small commission off of sales. This helps me to test out more materials and bring you more quality content. Thanks for supporting my little blog!))
