Dear Holiday Gift Buyer

One of the reasons that I love working with children and have done so for many years is because of the toys and games your children and I get to play with! Play fosters self-discovery and social connections. Play allows children to try out ideas and use what they are learning in their academic subjects but in a less pressurized environment. Play develops imagination, speaking and listening skills, and solidifies math and science concepts.

As the holidays approach, our children and family tell us about the presents they want. We are bombarded by advertisements of the ‘must have toy of the year’. These toys are usually expensive and of limited educational value. So often we are frustrated when we spend a lot of money on the latest hot, new toy only to see it abandoned and broken for us to clean up within days.

Here are some of my favorite holiday gift ideas that are both fun and educational! They’ll help spark your child’s creativity and imagination for months to come.

Toys for Children 1 – 4 years old

  • Shape sorters

  • Lotto games that have categories such as animals, transportation, food (e.g., fruits and vegetables) and opposites (e.g. big dog and small dog).

  • Puzzles are great for children of all ages. They help develop skills including memory, problem solving and critical thinking from an early age. Young children can do form board puzzles and progress to more challenging puzzles as the children get older. Wooden puzzles are sturdy and easier for children to manipulate.

  • Scooters, bicycles, skates, and skateboards.

  • A set of animal figurines

  • A good set of blocks or Duplo, Lego, or Lego Friends.

  • Toys that promote fantasy play like cars, dolls, and tea sets

  • Picture books with pictures of words, shapes, and numbers

  • Nursery rhyme apps and books help children to learn to read.


Toys for Children 4 – 6 years old

• Phonics and math activity books

For Children of all Ages

Themed toys such as Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Elsa and Anna Frozen dolls. Children also love Ben 10 and Barbies, especially if you sit down and play with them, too!

iPads/Tablets

Select APPS carefully and be sure to continue to interact with your children as they use their electronic devices. If you do allow TV, limit screen time, and engage with your child about what they’ve watched.

Some of my Favorite Toys for the Holidays

Christmas Themed Toys

Kwanzaa

  • ‘K’ is for Kwanzaa by J.G. Ford

  • The Kwanzaa Coloring Book by Steven Christopher

Hanukkah Themed Toys

Singing Chanukah Tablet https://www.traditionsjewishgifts.com/Singing-Chanukah-Tablet-RLTYTAB.html

Hanukkah Menorah Puzzle https://www.judaicaplace.com/chanukah-puzzle-wood-menorah/089824310472/


Some of my Favorite Websites and Resources*

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Best Learning Toys for Kids:
www.everydaycheapskate.com/best-learning-stem-toys-for-christmas-2020/

Editor’s Choice: 50 of the Best Educational Toys and Gifts for 2020:
www.learningresources.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Best Learning Toys for Kids:
www.everydaycheapskate.com/best-learning-stem-toys-for-christmas-2020/

Fat Brain Toys: https://www.fatbraintoys.com/index.cfm

Little Passports: https://www.littlepassports.com/

Melissa and Doug: https://www.melissaanddoug.com/

Finally, remember that no toy has value unless you join in the fun with your child!

Warm holiday wishes from Dr. MB & Associates Tele-Speech Therapy,

Mellissa Bortz
PhD, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Gabrielle’s Top Pick

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

potatohead.jpg

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head is an excellent educational toy to facilitate language during play. This toy can aid your child in expanding overall sentence length. Sentences that can be used during this activity include “I want the arm”, “Give me the arm”, “The potato has an arm” or “Put the arm on the potato”. This toy can also be used to teach pronouns (i.e. he, she, his her), nouns, adjectives, body parts and will help improve your child’s ability to describe using colors and shapes. In addition, this toy can aid your child in learning emotions, action words the function of body parts. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head is a fun and engaging toy for children 2 years and older.

*Note: Dr. MB & Associates does not participate in any affiliate marketing agreements with these companies.

Guest User