eBeanstalk - Baby Learning & Educational Toys: January 2008

Play is a lot more than fun and games

Shari Harpaz, MS CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist

Play has a very strong influence on a child’s language development. It is the precursor to language when children are very young. And as play skills become more creative the language that they use becomes more complex.

At first you’ll notice that a child plays quietly and primarily focuses on exploring how a toy works. As their pretend play skills emerge, they will begin to comment on what they see and/or what they are doing. And then, when they start playing with other children the language they use becomes more social and conversational and as their social skills develop they may use more complex language to negotiate during cooperative play and/or to explore new scenarios.

Below are some of the key stages of play and the language that coincides with them.

Birth – 1 year:

In this first year, a child focuses on exploring objects using their sense of touch with their hands and mouthing of objects. They learn about object permanence (a hidden object still exists), means-end behavior, and cause-and-effect. They will begin to babble but there is no use of ‘real words’ at this age.

Two great baby toys that help to develop these skills are the Stacking Toy and Ball game and the Peek-a-boo Love you Book.

Stacking Toy & Ball Game	Peek-a-boo Love You Book

1 year – 2 years:

This is a dramatic year in terms of play and language skills development. A child will demonstrate autosymbolic play (i.e. acting out familiar activities, such as drinking from a cup or eating with a spoon) and use single words to label objects/actions within the context of what they are doing. They progress to symbolic play (i.e. using dolls to perform the actions on) at which time you will notice a burst in their language. Their expressive vocabulary will increase and they will begin to combine 2 words.

Three toddler toys that encourage this type of play are the The Super
Shapes Dump Truck, Touch and Feel ABC Letters, and Teddy Bears
Schoolhouse.

Super Shapes Dump Truck	Touch & Feel ABC Letters	Teddy Bears Schoolhouse

2 years – 3 years:

Your child will engage in parallel play near their peers. They act out less frequently occurring events (i.e. going on a trip). These events trigger questions and you will notice that your child will begin answering these questions… what, why, when and how.

The Wooden Cash Register, the Lift off Rocket and My First Purse are all
great 2 year old toys which serves as props for these more complex pretend
play events.

Wooden Cash Register	Lift Off Rocket	My First Purse

3 years – 4 years:

Your child will engage in associative play in which they include their peers. These new joint activities require language that helps them explain their ideas, predict what will happen next, engage in dialogue, and describe what’s happening using a broader range of adjectives.

Theatre Stage with Puppets, Dino Adventure, and a Day at the Zoo are all good 3 year old toys that really help expand the imagination of children.

Theatre Stage with Puppets	Dino Adventure	Day at the Zoo

4 years – 5 years:

Cooperative play with peers and role-playing will continue to develop with children of this age. Their use of complex sentences will evolve with it. Your child will begin to use conjunctions (and, but, or) and relational terms (first, then etc.) and they will learn to use language to negotiate with their peers.

My First Chemistry Set, Fizzy Foamy Science and Make your own Cards are all great 4 year old toys that will peak your child’s interest.

My First Chemistry Set	Fizzy Foamy Science	Make Your Own Cards

To your child play is all about fun, but it’s also how they learn and grow in the early years. Encourage their exploration of new toys and their imaginations. The language that emerges will amaze you.

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Great Indoor Winter Play Ideas!

Barbara Greenspan, MS, OTR

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Even though it is soooo cold outside, you can still play indoors with your children and get their bodies moving!!!

Remember, children learn through movement. Here are 10 great ideas to do inside.

1. MAKE A FORT: And if you want some help, we have the Superfort. Use that as a start, gather some extra blankets, pillows and small chairs and start building a cozy spot. You will be amazed at the creative thinking that evolves!

2. DESIGN AN OBSTACLE COURSE: Use sofa cushions, chairs, small tables, jump ropes and mats. Design a course where your child moves his body up, down and all around. Learn about prepositions at the same time (over, under and through).

3. COOK: Make playdough, cookies, pizza. Get those arms and hands mixing and moving!

4. BUILD A HOUSE: Use ebeanstalk’s Unit Blocks or chose from our other 10 types of blocks and build castles, garages and pretend beach scenes (wishful thinking!). Use the opportunity to learn about shapes through building.

5. PAINT: Move those arms and paint big pictures. ebeanstalk’s Door Easel is a great way to cover lots of space while making huge arm movements.

6. CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY: Relax in a warm bath and have some water fun! Gather up lots of animals and play games in water. Bring a bit of warmth to your day! We have the Jungle Waterfall and Tub Tunes. Make a musical jungle in the tub!

7. SING A SONG: Gather up the instruments and make a marching band! March all over the house while shaking a tambourine.

8. LET’S PLAY DRESS UP: Get all dressed up in costumes and put on a show! Invite the neighbors, too!

9. FIGURE THIS OUT: Curl up by the fire and do some puzzles. With older children (3 and up), teach them to do the outside border first, then the inside last. Help them match colors together. Show them the picture on the box. Strong visual skills make good learners!