Parents of children with communication difficulties can help increase their child’s communication ability through toys and play. Parents can be instrumental in helping their children grow their vocabulary, put sentences together and learn the art of conversation. This blog will be the first in my series of Toy Talk, ways to play with your child and increase their communication skills. Some people talk to much and some people talk too little when communication with their children. These Toy Talks will help with the words to say. Remember with younger children-short sentences that will increase as your child grows. Short pauses between sentences gives your child a chance to process what you have said and gives her the opportunity to formulate a response.

From 18-24 months children are beginning to enjoy imaginative play. They pretend to make you a “tea” or “coffee” adding the “milk” and “sugar”. A tea set is also a great toy for two children to enjoy together.

Hi Dylan, Jessie and I were just going to make some tea. Would you like some? Here is a cup for you- you can have the blue cup and Jessie has the red. Let’s try and find the plate that matches. Here it is- here’s the blue plate and Jessie here is the red plate. Jessie, can you pour some tea? Mmmm, it’s so good- I need some milk-Dylan can you pour some milk in my cup? Oh, thank you. This is delicious. Should we get some crackers to go with our tea?

You can continue playing with them or once you have modeled this type of play you can leave them for a while to play together.

Many children love to play with fire trucks. A fun trip would be to visit your local fire station. With a toy fire truck your child can pretend to be a firefighter.

Ding-ding-ding, I hear the fire bell. There must be a fire- let’s get our fire truck and see if we can help! Let’s drive to the building. Do you see the flames coming from the building. We have to get the ladder and the hose. Climb up the ladder and see if you can rescue the kitty. Wow, you did it. Now we have to put out the fire with water. Yea! The fire is out- you saved the day!

Again you are not requiring your child to answer questions. Instead you are modeling play and giving the words, the vocabulary, that goes with that specific toys and play scheme. You will be amazed as you walk away or on another day hearing your child using the same words and play ideas you modeled.

Play and have fun,

Lois

 

This age group can be described two ways- the terrible twos or the terrific twos, I choose the latter and it is all a matter of knowing how to help your 18 month old to 3 year old learn!

Starting at 18 months of age you child has become mobile, they are starting to walk or are already pretty steady on their feet and they are ready to move! They love to push and pull toys and collect things. While pushing the Wonder Walker they also have a place to select and collect their toys and move them to where they want to play. As they become 2 -year olds they like to ride and pretend. They can be a fire fighter on the Fire Engine or just ride and be anyone they choose on the Driver.

Bouncing Sorter

Your 2 year old is very busy as he/ she starts developing their hand-eye co-ordination. Playing with a Bouncing Sorter gives your child the sensory input  of touch and strengthens hand eye coordination while they learn about shapes through sorting. They also continue to love music and playing a toy piano gives them the sensory input of touch and sound, add words to their songs and language skills become enhanced. A Deluxe Playcube will keep your 2-3 year old busy and learning all day long, moving colorful beads, playing with the alphabet blocks or spinning the gears and there is no clean-up because it is all self-contained.

Deluxe Playcube

Barnyard Activity Boxes

Between you child’s 2^nd and 3^rd birthday is when language explodes. Your child begins to store words in categories moving from sounds to words to description. Playing with barnyard activity boxes encourages one of the first categories of animals. In addition to playing with farm animals sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm or read a book like the classic The Little Red Hen. Playing, reading and singing stimulates your child's language explosion and gives form to their play. Your child will be building their vocabulary through fun. Did you know at 24 months a child understands 500-700 words and by 30 months as many as 800-900 words!

“ A 2 year old’s imagination develops naturally, but there is a lot you can do to spark it,” says Kristi Alexander, a pediatric psychologist at Alliant International University in San Diego. “ As you expose your child to new sights, sounds and sensations you open her mind to a bigger world.” Imagination! It really begins now. Building with big blocks they can they can build a castle, a city, a house, a road and play alone or with others to create a make-believe world. Your child’s imagination through play builds a deeper understanding of the world around them. Ding- dong! Let’s play house.  It is so much fun to learn all the names of the furniture and rooms of the house while playing with a mini house with a doorbell that works. Social skills of greeting and inviting begin here.

Doorbell House

Although you could just sit and watch, it is even better if your join in to your child’s play. By playing with them you are teaching them so much while you learn about your child.

At each stage of your child’s imaginative development, listening to him and taking part in his games will help you keep up with what he is thinking. You might revitalize your own imagination in the process.

As always, wishing you lots of fun through play!

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