SLP-Recommended Gift Guides

If you're looking for meaningful gifts for children that can be used to promote language development, this series is for you!

Scroll through for SLP-recommended gift ideas for three age groups: Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool & School-agers!

The visuals will show items that speech therapists are using in our own therapy rooms, with helpful descriptions of ways you can use these items (or similar items you already have) to target communication goals and development!

So often, it's not about the toy but how you *use* the toy. For our littlest communicators, the best “toys” are the ones that invite connection. Take the opportunity to get on the floor, be face-to-face, model, and enjoy the sweet back-and-forth moments.

🎁 SLP Gift Guide: Baby Edition 🎁

Baby toys (~6-12 mos.) Speech-Pathologists use in our own therapy rooms:
1️⃣ Plush farm animals & barn
2️⃣ Musical instruments
3️⃣ Blocks
4️⃣ Pop-up toy

➡️ Swipe for simple ways to support early communication using these toys or what you already might have at home!

🌟SLP Gift Guide: Toddler Edition 🌟

Toddler toys that SLPs use in our own therapy rooms:
1️⃣ Car ramp
2️⃣ Magnetiles
3️⃣ Mr. Potato Head
4️⃣ Peekaboo learning houses/barns

Remember, these toys are wonderful tools, but the real magic happens when you follow your child’s lead, slow down, and build language into their favourite moments. They learn from your input!

➡️ Swipe for practical ideas to model with these toys or whatever toys your toddler already loves.

🎄 SLP Gift Guide: Preschooler & School-Age Edition 🎄

For our growing & older communicators, play becomes richer, more imaginative, and full of opportunities for storytelling, problem-solving, and social skills.

Games & Toys that SLPs use in our own therapy rooms:
1️⃣ Pretend play activities (e.g., vet, kitchen, trains)
2️⃣ Cause & effect games (e.g., Pop the Pig)
3️⃣ Sequencing games (e.g., Pancake Pile-Up)
4️⃣ Learning Resources Surprises Party presents
5️⃣ Board games (e.g., Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Guess Who)

➡️ Swipe for what communication skills toys & games like these can target!

And remember, these games are great, but the biggest impact comes from how you join in. Let your child lead, ask open-ended questions, take turns, and expand on what they say instead of directing or quizzing.✨

Thanks for following! Send me a message if you need any other ideas. 📩