It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to start tackling gift shopping. With endless gift guides, catalogs, and never ending emails filled with sales, it can be overwhelming thinking of what to buy children. Will the toy be helpful for their development? Is it something that they can grow and learn from? We’re here to make this year’s shopping easy- and dare we say- fun! Now, before you make a list and check it twice, there are some things to consider when toy shopping. Keep reading for our 5 tips to help you this holiday season!
Tip #1 Say Goodbye to Batteries
We know that when toys make more noise, adults and babies talk LESS! For example, when a child engages with a battery operated firetruck, the toy makes the siren noise. However, when a child plays with a wooden firetruck, they are naturally encouraged to make environmental sounds such as the hose spraying the fire and explore siren sounds with their mouth. While you don’t have to avoid noisy toys completely, we encourage you to use them sparingly. We want little ones to make the noises, not the toy!
Check out some no-battery toys we love:
Additional Tip: Do you already own several toys that require batteries? Take the batteries out! Toys can function without them. Do you have a battery-operated barn with animals? Take the batteries out and make all of the animal noises yourself!
Tip #2 Choose Open Ended Toys
Select toys that have many ways to play with them. Open ended toys encourage cognitive skills, as the child has to figure out how to play with them. Not only this, open ended toys build independent play, creativity, and vocabulary. Because there are so many uses for these toys, a child is more likely to play with them over and over! For example, a child can use blocks to build a castle, create a “house” for their stuffed animal, or make a road for their hot wheels cars. Check out some below:
Tip #3 Books!
We LOVE books! Books are a wonderful gift to give this holiday season (or anytime!). As SLPs, we encourage families to read with their children daily. Read more about the benefits of reading here. There are so many types of books, such as flap books, sticker books, touch and feel books. These books are interactive, engaging, and fun!
- Touch and feel books: That’s Not My Hedgehog
- Sticker books: All Better!
- Flap books: Dear Zoo
- Bath books: Barnyard Bath!
Tip #4 Movement is a Must!
Movement-based toys are great to use on a rainy day or to get those wiggles out. Not only does movement benefit a child’s physical development, it’s key for their cognitive development, too. Movement helps develop multitasking, visual processing, comprehension, and social-emotional skills, including their emotional regulation and self-confidence.
Tip #5 Sensory Fun
Incorporating sensory toys and activities into a child’s play is extremely beneficial for their language and cognitive development. You can read more about the benefits of sensory play here. By using multiple senses (sight, sound, touch, smell), a child can become more well-regulated, which makes it easier for them to remain engaged in the activity. A win-win!
And our most important tip of them all..YOU! No toy can replace human interaction. You are your child’s greatest asset to unlocking the world around them. Play on the floor, get messy, and enjoy these experiences through your child’s eyes. Play not only helps your child’s development, it’s an opportunity for you to create lasting memories with them.
Looking for toys based on your child’s specific age? You can check out some of our previous gift guides here:
Gift Guide: Birth to 12 months
We hope these tips help you during the holiday rush! Be sure to reference this list when shopping for future birthdays or to send to first-time parents as well. If you have any questions during the toy shopping process, contact us!
Northern Virginia
Phone: 703-470-6957
Email: info@owlstherapy.com
Philadelphia’s Main Line
Phone: 610-579-0914
Email: philadelphia@owlstherapy.com