Here’s the toy list for recommended toys for Stage 8: Early Role Play and Pretending with Peers and New Events from Stages of Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Language Delays from #473. Developmental Age Range: 36 – 48 months Our primary focuses for play here at Stage 8 are helping kids learn to… Include more steps so thata child can continue to expand play routines. Take on new roles during play including events they haven’t directly participated in like being a fire fighter Talk for dolls/characters during play routines Direct play by telling others what to do and changing the storyl ..read more

Here’s the toy list for recommended toys for Stage 7: New Jobs and New Events from Stages of Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Language Delays Our primary focuses for play here at Stage 7 are helping kids learn to… Include the more steps so that they continue to expand their play routines. 2. Take on a specific role in play 3. Talk to dolls/characters during play routines 4. Organize or gather toys for play 5. Become more symbolic by using an object to represent another object 6. Continue to improve fine motor play Here’s a list of links followed by descriptions of the toys. Click the ..read more

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 p ..read more

Here’s the toy list for recommended toys for Stage 5: Combining Play Actions in Familiar Routines 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 say the same key words over and over. As you play, pick one or two key words per toy and repeat those words many times each time you play. Examples are listed for each recommended toy and you can watch demonstrations of how to use the toy in podcast #470. Our primary focuses for play here at Stage 5 are helping kids learn to… Use two relat ..read more

This year I’ve found some wonderful NEW choices for speech therapy toy picks for 2024 for toddlers and preschoolers with language delays. I’ve included some of the toys that made the cut this year in my Stages of Play Podcast series (currently ongoing!), but these are NEW additions and I’ll be adding them to my Best Toys for Speech Therapy List. Please check out that list too! It’s grouped by developmental age range and has loads of fantastic information for you to help you choose the right toys and make your work – and their play – easier and more fun for the both of you. In this post, I’m li ..read more

Here’s the toy list for recommended toys for Stage 3: Beginning Functional Play. Remember… The only way babies learn what words mean (and to talk!) is by hearing you say the same key words over and over. As you play, pick one or two key words per toy and repeat those words many times each time you play. Examples are listed for each recommended toy and you can watch demonstrations of how to use the toy in podcast #468. Since children in this stage are learning to understand simple commands, we can work that into our therapy sessions with Stage 3 toys. Watch the podcast for specific instructions ..read more

Remember… The only way babies learn what words mean (and to talk!) is by hearing you say the same key words over and over. As you play, pick one or two key words per toy and repeat those words many times each time you play. Examples are listed for each recommended toy and you can watch demonstrations of how to use the toy in podcast #467. Toys to Teach Object Permanence     MONTESSORI BALL BOX Here’s my favorite toy for this stage and the best toy I’ve ever found specifically for object permanence. It’s a Montessori Box with balls – there’s a hole in the top for baby to drop the bal ..read more

Remember… The only way babies learn what words mean (and to talk!) is by hearing you say the same key words over and over. As you play, pick one or two key words per toy and repeat those words many times each time you play. Examples are listed for each recommended toy and you can watch demonstrations of how to use the toy at podcast #466.   Fabric Balls Here’s a wonderful first ball for holding, grasping, and exploring while using both hands to develop motor coordination. It’s a great choice for tummy time because the ball rolls and encourages movement, but it’s easy to grasp. Your key w ..read more

We have lots of new moms and dads who have joined our daily email group, so I’m getting lots of emails with questions about The Autism Workbook and speech therapy for toddlers with autism. I thought I’d answer those here in case you have those questions too! Read a few parent and professional testimonials at the bottom of this post if you’d like some firsthand reviews.   Is this book appropriate to use for kids who have not yet been diagnosed with autism? YES! In this manual I’m sharing what YOU need to know in order to work with toddlers and preschoolers with autism – thos ..read more

“Uh uh uh!” your child says as she reaches toward the counter. Instantly, you know what she wants. You reply with… “Banana!” Your little girl smiles in confirmation and moves her little hand toward you as you hold the banana and begin to peel. Again you say, “Banana!” She begins to bounce in anticipation. You respond… “I… want…. the…. (longer pause to build anticipation) banana.” She copies you… “Nuh nuh.” Her first attempt for the word banana.   I love this strategy! The official terminology is linguistic mapping, but most of us speech-language pathologists who work with late talking tod ..read more