Stage 6 Toy List for Expanding Play Routines
Here’s the toy list for recommended toys for Stage 6: Expanding Play Ruotines in Stages of Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Language Delays.
Remember… The only way babies learn what words mean (and to talk!) is by hearing you model whatever their goals are. For example, here at Stage 6 which is 24 to 30 months developmentally, kids use short phrases frequently, add ‘ing’ verbs, use early pronouns, begin to use plural and possessive /s/, and several other things. As you play, pick one or two key language goals to work on and model phrases with those targets many, many times as you play together. Examples are listed for each recommended toy and you can watch demonstrations of how to use the toy in podcast #471.
Our primary focuses for play here at Stage 6 are helping kids learn to…
- Include several steps in play during more elaborate play routines.
- Help a child learn to organize/group toys
- Keep our other kinds of fine motor play moving along
Here’s a list of links followed by descriptions of the toys. Click the short link to get to Amazon to read more about the toy.
WOODEN PUZZLES
Wooden puzzles will be popular with children until they are 4, maybe longer. At this stage, kids can do up to 10 pieces in a wooden, inset puzzle. Choose puzzles with different themes to work on teaching new words and vocabulary development. Watch the podcast for ideas for using these puzzles in speech therapy. Get the handout for #471 for sample scripts as you teach while you play.
Battat Construction Puzzle https://amzn.to/4by7uDs
Chunky Puzzle Safari https://amzn.to/3HV3TBV
Vehicle Puzzle https://amzn.to/42yMgkR
Pet Puzzle https://amzn.to/3UDSCx7
Ocean Puzzle https://amzn.to/3SF1j7O
Barn Puzzle https://amzn.to/3w9fOJs
Farm Puzzle https://amzn.to/3STqXXU
Baby Shark Puzzle https://amzn.to/3STqXXU
PLEASE WATCH PODCAST #471 FOR IDEAS FOR USING THESE TOYS DURING THERAPY
TOY MICROWAVE
This toy is so versatile and will be fun for preschoolers too. It’s great for helping a child learn to combine actions and sequence a longer play routine. Add steps to help them learn to slow down and stay with you — a challenge in this stage! For language, target phrases. You may try an anchor phrase which means that you keep one word the same and then change the other word such as: Cook apple, cook waffle, cook fish, cook cookie, etc. You may also use it for gestalt language learners with a key phrase like “Time to ____.” I like teaching verbs this way… time to cook, time to open, time to shut, time to cut, time to blow, time to eat, etc.
TOY SINK
Water play is always a big hit with toddlers and preschoolers! Like the microwave, this toy will be appealing for a long time so it’s a great investment. Think about teaching play and language combinations. Turn water on and wash dish. Wash dish and put it away. Remember – a child at this stage of play can’t combine more than 2 simple actions yet, so don’t make it too hard! Also target word combinations using expansion. For example, a child says, “Plate” and you add a word to make it a phrase such as “Wash plate.” or “Plate all done.”
TOY BATHTUB
This toy is also a great investment and will be fun for a long time! I’ve used lots of variations from the Dollar store version to this one – you get what you pay for! Sometimes the pump is too hard and that’s okay because a child will need you and you can ask him to request with a phrase… Help me, more please, more water, need water, water on (remember that’s on older target!) etc. Phrase combination options are endless! For example: Wash baby, wash arm, wash hair, wash belly, wash toes… Focus on combining actions too, but don’t make it too complicated with too many steps. Target 2 actions now If you are losing kid, it’s too hard! Make it simpler.
PLAYGROUND
Look for sets with options for targeting “ing” words — swinging, climbing, sliding, etc. Help a child learn to include 3 or more actions or steps with the characters at the playground. Keep thinking… “What’s the next thing this child could do?” and encourage that action.
FARM PLAY
Barns, animals, and tractors are so much fun for toddlers and the possibilities for play and language are endless! We’re working on combinatons with actions. You can make one animal do lots of things (run, eat, sleep, climb, fly, etc.) or you can make several animals do the same thing (the cow, pig, and horse all eat from the trough). Target other language goals like ‘ing’ verbs, plurals, and pronouns.
MELISSA AND DOUG BARN
GARAGES
Expand the steps for vehicle play by giving the vehicles a destination and more action options with a garage, race track, or train track. Use the same goals… more steps and more phrases!
https://amzn.to/42Df1g1
CHEAPER OPTION
POTATO HEADS
One more classic toy that we haven’t talked about is perfect for this stage when a child can sequence more than a couple of actions. There are lots of pieces so you have lots of language targets — especially BODY PART + in. Try requesting the next piece if this is new with a 3 word phrase… I want ____… or make it simpler with ___ please. If a child isn’t interested or this seems hard for him, try deconstruction. You put the pieces in and then let him take them out.
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