Christmas is the season of gift-giving and what better time than now to take the opportunity to purchase gifts that can assist your child or loved one with their language development? Erin, one of our resident Speech Pathologists, has put together her list of perfect gift ideas to do just this! Check out the list below and let us know in the comments if these are some of your childās favourite toys!
āTop 10 Christmas Gifts to Promote Language Developmentā
1. Spot Books
These books are great for developing a childās ability to answer questions (e.g. where is spot? Or āwhat is spot doingā) and their ability to follow instructions (e.g. first point to spot, then to his mum).
Link to purchase: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/where-s-spot/p/5702/
2. Mr Potato Head
Mr potato head if wonderful for teaching children the names of body parts.
Link to purchase: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/toy-story-4-mr-potato-head-classic-figure-assorted/p/823067/
3. Articulate for Kids 
This is a good game for older children to help with their descriptive language and ability to make sentences.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com.au/Articulate-For-Kids-Board-Game/dp/B00009R61B
4. Pop-up Pirate 
This game will help children learn how to take turns and improve their ability to name colours when they ask for the different coloured swords.
Link to purchase: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/tomy-pop-up-pirate/p/4511045/
5. Guess Who 
Guess who will help kids learn how to ask different types of questions as well as help them understand negatives such as āwithoutā and ānotā.
Link to purchase: https://www.kmart.com.au/product/guess-who-board-game/663813
6. Dolls 
This is great for kids who are learning to play. They can practice copying different words like āhe/sheā as well as action words like āwalking/eatingā.
Link to purchase: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/barbie-beach-doll-assorted/p/430557/
7.Ā Car ramps 
Car ramps are good to develop early language and requesting skills. Parents can practice words like āgoā āstopā āmoreā with their child to help improve their language.
Link to purchase: https://www.kmart.com.au/product/wooden-4-in-1-activity-tower/2777818
8. Shopping list 
This game can help kids learn new words and make requests such as āCan I have the carrotsā.
Link to purchase: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/orchard-toys-shopping-list-game/p/807820/
9. 5 Second Rule 
This game will be good for older kids who need to develop their vocabulary. Players need to name 3 items in a category in under 5 seconds. An understanding of categories can help kids learn new words.
Link to purchase: https://www.kmart.com.au/product/university-games-5-second-rule-board-game/2754391
10. What am I?
This board game is great for getting kids practising asking and answering questions.
Link to purchase: https://www.kmart.com.au/product/what-am-i-playset/2066828