Here at Box Hill Speech Pathology, we use toys to help children learn language.
The following activities are fun and easy ways to help your child learn new words, follow directions, take turns, and talk with others.
1. Animal toys
- Animal toys help kids learn animal names, sounds, and what animals do.
- Say things like: “cow,” “moo,” “black and white,” “the cow is eating.”
- Animal toys also offer opportunities for children to narrate, role-play, and tell stories.
2. Musical instruments
- Musical instruments help kids learn to take turns and communicate without words.
- Singing with instruments helps kids learn new words and interact with others.
3. Playdough
- Playdough is a fun way for kids to learn words and follow directions.
- Use words like: “roll,” “squish,” “cut,” “soft.”
- Kids can also learn colors and shapes: “This is a red circle,” or “Let’s make a green snake.”
4. Cars and trains
- Playing with cars and trains helps kids learn new words and follow directions.
- Use words like: “fast,” “slow,” “go,” “stop.”
- Teach directions: “push the car,” “make the train go fast.”
5. Puzzles
- Puzzles are great for learning words, colors, and shapes.
- Say words like: “big,” “small,” “curved,” “straight.”
- Use simple phrases to describe pieces: “ball,” “dinosaur,” “red triangle.”
- Teach directions: “on top,” “in the middle.”
These activities make learning new language exciting for kids!
