A common question that I receive from parents and professionals working with young children is, "What toys do you recommend?" As a parent of a young child and a speech-language pathologist myself, I am always on the lookout for new toys. I don't necessarily want toys that are complicated, that have a lot of parts, or that have flashing lights. Instead, I'm looking for toys that will provide the most opportunities for communication and learning. So I asked the most experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) I know for her list of top toys for toddlers that she could not live without. Wendy Avolio is an SLP with over 40 years of experience and uses themes exclusively in early intervention--so she KNOWS toys!
Guess what! I am sharing this list with you-- fellow parents, speech-language pathologists, and anyone who is looking to buy toys for that special youngster in your life. Please note that this list is in no particular order. While The Interaction Coach offers free resources for parents and caregivers, this post contains affiliate links. That just means that we may earn a small commission from any purchases that you make using the links contained in this site (at no additional cost to you).
Also, be on the lookout for our list of top 10 books coming soon... If you would like to receive that blog post directly to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list.
Without further ado, here is Ms. Wendy's list of:
Top 25 Toys for Toddlers
FUNERICA Durable Cash Register Toy for Kids*
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Hungry Pelican
LeapFrog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket
Peaceable Kingdom Acorn Soup
Melissa & Doug The Wheels on The Bus Sound Puzzle
Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Farm Hide & Seek Board
Fisher-Price Little People World of Animals See 'n Say
Melissa-&-Doug Safari Animal Rescue Truck
Fisher-Price Little People Musical Zoo Train
Playskool Mr. Potato Head
Colorforms Silly Faces Game
Melissa & Doug Musical Instruments Sound Puzzle
Melissa & Doug Around the House Sound Puzzle
Fisher-Price Little People Big Helpers Home
Melissa & Doug Latches Board
Melissa & Doug Wooden Town Play Set
Melissa & Doug Nesting & Sorting Buildings & Vehicles
Learning Resources All About Me Sorting Neighborhood
Melissa & Doug Pull-Back Vehicles
Fisher-Price Little People Helicopter
Kinetic Sand
Peaceable Kingdom Topper Takes A Trip
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Force1 Ditto Mini Voice Changer Robot
*Please note that this is an example of a cash register/cuttable food combination. You may also purchase a cash register and food separately.
If you are a professional interested in learning more about how to Use Themes to Promote Early Language Development (using these toys and more), please REGISTER HERE for a recorded two-hour webinar sponsored by Online Speech Services and co-presented by Adrienne Wallace and Wendy Avolio.
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