Looking for toys that help you teach your toddler to speak? We’ve got you covered! We all want to hear that first word from our sweet little cherubs (in a few years you will be longing for those ‘quiet’ days). On a more serious note, it is really exciting when your toddler learns new words and remembers them. There are toys out there that will help you to teach him how to talk! You can go high-tech or simple; the key is the interaction you have while using the toys. Check out our five toys that help you teach your toddler to speak.
Related: 5 Great Toddler Speech Delay Books
The Best Toys That Help You Teach Your Toddler to Speak
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Charts
Educational Insights has a great tool called Smart Talk Charts. Charts are fun because it is a simple, quick and easy way for kids to associate words with pictures. These charts are categorized nicely from things like school and the living room to food and opposites. They also come with blank pages so your child can identify images on their own. From the looks of it, they will run you about $34.99. You can learn more about these charts at Educational Insights.
Blocks
Sounds too simple right? I am sure you have some blocks lying around the house (probably stepped on a few in the middle of the night). Using colorful wooden blocks opens up play and allows you to teach color and shape. Build tall towers and talk about what you are doing. “This is a tall building! Can you say ‘tall’?” Same thing with colors, “What color is this block?” He won’t immediately start telling you, but consistency and repetition are key! Bonus? You are also working on hand-eye coordination and cause and effect, “If you push the blocks, they fall over”. Melissa & Doug have great blocks and other quality wooden toys.
Phone
Don’t hand over your smartphone; that will come soon enough, don’t rush things. A simple toy phone is all you need. Teaching him to say ‘Hello?’ when he answers and the numbers on the keypad. They often light up and might even have some simple games. Sit down and play with it with him; he will love the attention and quality time! You can find a play phone anywhere. Even if it doesn’t make noise, it is still a useful tool and toy! You can even use an old phone you have that doesn’t work. Kids always want what we have right, so if you have an old smartphone that doesn’t work, it will be for these purposes!
Nesting cups
Another simple toy that will get the ‘conversation’ going. Colorful stacking cups will get your child to learn colors and like the blocks, learn about cause and effect and saying something like ‘ut oh!’ when they fall over. You can stack them tall and talk about how tall it is and point to each color. Tell your child to find the blue cup and work on colors that way and get him to tell you the color. Make it a game!
Talking chalkboard
This is super cool! Learning Resources created ABC Chalk-Talk, it comes with a pointer (at the end of the stick is a little hand that looks like it’s pointing, it’s cute!). The end of the pointer has a sensor in it that makes the board talk when they connect. You and your child can point and learn about shapes, letters, and numbers and then use the other side for playing. The backside is a real chalkboard so he can practice writing too! Check it out at Learning Resources.
Toys are always a helpful tool in teaching your toddler how to speak. I am going through this very thing right now. We are using blocks and cars and all of these toys really to teach him some simple words. I have been told child number 2 doesn’t learn to speak as soon as the first, simple reason being there are more people around to answer to the grunts and points that they give, there is no need for words. I know my daughter gives him whatever he wants, so there is no need to learn to speak (in his tiny mind anyways).
I always love educational toys for my kids, they learning from the toys
I can’t see the images but I do like some of these. I know my son used to talk to his blocks a lot! lol! I’ve never seen the talking chalkboard but that sounds really cool!
I really love educational toys for my son especially now he is schooling
This is a great list of toys to teach the child to talk. I really love the talking chalk board. These toys are something I am going to have to show my sister and niece’s for their little ones. Thanks for sharing the list.
A petend phone is a great toybto encourage kids to speak. My son loved using his. But these other toys are also great. Making a note for next baby shower.
That talking chalkboard sounds like a great idea and gift! I may be getting it for my nephew – it would help develop his language skills.
Educational toys will always get my vote. There are also so many items that can be found in any home that can help to encourage speaking. Taking your toddler with you while you are going about your day will spark interest and encourage them to ask questions.
Traditional toys still get my vote. I was getting worried with most technology nowadays and needed to pick the right ones for my friends’ toddlers, that tip for the “blocks” might just do the trick.
I love toys that are educational and that develop the brain of the kids thanks for sharing.
Those sound awesome. I remember leaving the television on most of the time so they can hear words or sounds, especially songs. These are good options as well. Perfect for first time parents!