These language development toys are appropriate for children ages 4-8 depending on interests and language level. There is something for everyone here.
These problem-solving board games are fantastic language development toys!! Your child will develop important cognitive skills just by playing with friends and family.
Why: Problem-solving skills are important for academic and life skills development.
How: Follow the directions on the game. If your child seems too young for one game, don’t shy away. You can always adapt them to meet the needs of your child.
These language board games are fantastic!! Your child will develop important speech language skills without even trying. I own all of the games listed below and find them invaluable during speech therapy sessions.
Why:
These toys are for younger kids; however, they can be adapted for older children too.
Why: Sorting skills are important for learning math, categorization, counting, matching, and comparison tasks.
How: Sort objects by color or size. Make 2 piles and talk about which pile has more or less. Practice taking away and adding. Describe shapes. Make patterns. Practice the concepts “before,” “after,” “every other,” “many,” and/or “few.”
Creative games where children get to build freely develops cognitive skills such as constructive abilities, problem-solving, and creativity. These games also naturally lend to language development through conversation, oral problem-solving, and exposure to new vocabulary.
Why:
How: Build creations and talk about building vocabulary. Describe shapes.
Children need to get outside more. It breaks my heart when I ask my students if they played in the snow over the weekend and they all say “no!” This may be a soapbox of mine so I apologize for the preaching, but children NEED to be outside!! It is crucial for their development and health!!
Why:
How: Name all the things you can find with binoculars. Explore new parks and places. Build a home for the bug and name all the things that the living creature will need to survive. Talk about where bugs come from and how they live. Brainstorm similar and different bugs.
Pretend play does wonders for the imagination and cognitive development. Also, with all the apps, TV, and video games being so accessible, imagination has taken a dive.
Why:
How: For the teaching game, you can work on all academic skills and social skills. Using the walkie talkie, practice giving directions, describing surroundings, and/or creating imaginary games. Really, anything since walkie talkie naturally will have your child talking!!
This is my miscellaneous group. These odds and ends are invaluable! These educational games target a wide range of skills.
Why:
How: You can use these items to work on articulation, shapes, following directions, time concepts such as days of the weeks, months, yesterday, tomorrow, etc…Ho w you play these games to target language development will depend on your child abilities and the game you choose.
Bridget is an ASHA certified, practicing speech-language pathologist. She is passionate about providing parents with information on child speech and language development as well as provide functional, easy activities to do at home! Parents have the power to make a real difference. Follow Bridget at Facebook and Pinterest for more fun!