Finding the perfect gifts to support a child’s early communication and development can make a world of difference in their growth and learning journey. Whether you’re looking for tools to encourage language development, improve motor skills, or foster social interaction, we’ve curated a selection of engaging and educational gifts. These toys are more than just fun—they’re powerful tools for encouraging early language, social interaction, and communication skills.These picks come directly from our Speech Therapists and the families we work with, ensuring that each item has been tried, loved, and approved for helping children reach their milestones!
***Each gift guide has been carefully curated with suggestions directly from our staff and we have only included products we love and think you’ll love too! Please note, as an Amazon Associate, M Street will earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Speech-Generating Switches
Why they’ll love it: Fun and accessible way to add language into playtime!
These can be a fun way to bring language into social games, especially for children with limited mobility, and limited spoken words. Program the switch to fill in the phrase “ready, set…go!” while you go for a blanket ride, or hide behind a door and have the switch say “boo!” when it’s time to pop out. (https://www.ablenetinc.com/littlemack/)
More affordable options are available on Amazon (please note: these versions may be a little harder to activate for some children with medically complexities) (https://amzn.to/3ZaFtxJ)
2. Interactive books
Why they’ll love it: Captivating, interactive elements are and added bonus to storytime!
Interactive books have added elements like touch-and-feel textures, flaps to lift, pop-ups, etc. and are perfect for working on imitation of actions, such as knocking on the flap, as well as imitation of sounds and words, such as “boo!"
3. Pretend Play Toys
Why they’ll love it: Play sets are an engaging way to encourage imaginative storytelling!
Use pretend play sets like a kitchen set or house set for imaginative play or to narrate and act out daily routines or social interactions to help build receptive language and practice functional vocabulary.
Kitchen set: https://amzn.to/3AAkj2x
Play House Set: https://amzn.to/4hKxeQd
4. My First Learn to Talk Book by Stephanie Cohen
Why they’ll love it: It’s easy-to-repeat words and engaging rhymes make this book perfect for introducing first words and sounds to little ones.
Designed by a speech expert, this book’s rhythmic language and easy-to-repeat words are perfect for introducing first sounds and words. The engaging rhymes help little ones expand their vocabulary and practice language sounds, making it a wonderful resource for parents and therapists to support early speech development and confidence in talking.(https://amzn.to/3O4oGGb)
5. Mr. Potato Head
Why they’ll love it: Mr. Potato Head is a fun and interactive way for children to build social language skills through imaginative pretend play.
Mr. Potato Head is a classic, hands-on way to learn body parts and basic vocabulary. As children mix and match the pieces, they’re learning names for body parts and practicing spatial concepts, all while building early social language skills through pretend play. (https://amzn.to/4fnZ7M5)
6. Farm Animals
Why they’ll love it: This set introduces children to animal names and sounds, increasing vocabulary skills and encouraging imaginative play.
This set of farm animals is a fantastic tool for vocabulary building and imaginative play. By introducing animal names, sounds, and actions, it encourages language-rich interactions, helping children connect words to familiar concepts in a playful way. (https://amzn.to/4fvyB3K)
7. Puzzles with Knob
Why they’ll love it: Perfect for encouraging receptive language skills development while introducing new vocabulary and reinforcing expressive language skills.
These puzzles with large knobs are ideal for early problem-solving and fine motor practice, but they also encourage receptive language skills as children learn to name each piece. Matching and identifying items introduces new words and concepts in a way that reinforces both understanding and expressive language. (https://amzn.to/4hFA09n)
8. Bubbles
Why they’ll love it: Bubbles provide a fun and engaging opportunity to introduce action words, encourage eye contact, and practice taking turns, essentials for their budding social communication skills.
Bubbles are a delight for children of all ages, but they’re also an excellent tool for skill-building! Blowing and popping bubbles helps develop eye-hand coordination, visual tracking, balance, and motor planning. Playing with bubbles also introduces different textures, making it a gentle way to expand sensory tolerance in a joyful, interactive way. Bubbles are also an all-time favorite for language learning! Blowing and popping bubbles are fun ways to introduce action words, encourage eye contact, and practice taking turns. Playing with bubbles is a perfect activity for social communication and vocabulary building.(https://amzn.to/3Z76Rwx)
We hope this helps you find the perfect gifts to inspire learning, creativity, and connection with the little ones in your life. Each of these therapist-recommended picks is more than just a toy—these gifts offer meaningful opportunities to encourage growth and connection while building skills and creating joyful moments. Happy gifting and remember, it’s the time spent playing together and celebrating milestones that make these gifts truly special!
