Speech and Language Toys

Toys that get children talking

Children learn to talk in conversation with the people around them. A toy helps when it gives the two of you something to name, describe and take turns over, so everything here is made to be played together. For what most children say at each age, and when to ask for help, read how to help your child talk.

By age

• 0 to 3: the A Day in a Child's Life books (at home, at the park, at the market) for everyday words, and I Read with My Child for reading together.
• From 1: My Sound Book: Animal Sounds, and My Family Learning Board for the words for mother, grandmother, uncle and the rest.
• 2 to 5: the Hidden Pictures books: find it, then name it, in Arabic or English.
• 3 to 6: the Talking Flash Card Reader, a first puzzle of household objects, the two category sorting boxes, the Montessori touch book of animals, the Caillou talking pen and 1000 First STEM Words.
• 3 to 8: Silly Sentences and the spelling and vocabulary game, for whole sentences; from 5, the illustrated Arabic–English dictionary.

Three habits that help

• Add a word: if your child says "car", say "a red car".
• Offer a choice: "the dog or the cat?"
• Wait for an answer before you fill the silence.

No toy treats a speech delay. If your child isn't reaching the milestones for their age, talk to their doctor.