Toys Build Communication Skills
by The Genius of Play Team
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Communicating verbally, nonverbally, and through writing is key to success in school.
The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill that kids will use in adulthood to successfully develop relationships, perform in the workplace, and raise children of their own.
Learning to communicate is one of the most dramatic childhood developments. From a baby’s first words to the words, they choose on the elementary school playground, from toddler scribbles to 3rd grade penmanship - communication skills take years to build and hone.
Whether your kids are natural communicators or they, like many children, require additional support in learning speech or writing skills, toys can help them hone communication skills! Check out our list of cool toy picks that do just that:
Charaction CUBE by Bandai America
Ages 8+
If your kid’s love puzzles and Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Gudetama characters, they will enjoy hours of play with Charaction CUBEs. Each pop culture character is a next-gen puzzle. Once solved, kids can use the collectible characters as action figures.
What kids learn through play with Charaction CUBE: Through dramatic play with action figures, kids naturally create representations of real-world and imaginative situations using toys and talk through emotions each toy could be experiencing as they play. Also, as kids play with superhero figures, they “try on” different voices and vocal effects.
Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Wash Your Hands Singing Doll
Ages 3+
Inspired by Disney Junior’s hit animated show, Doc McStuffins has been a role model for young viewers since 2012. She understands how important washing her hands is in preventing the spread of germs to her friends. Kids will enjoy singing along with Doc McStuffins as they practice washing their hands to the “Wash Your Hands” song from the show. Press her stethoscope to activate and Doc McStuffins sings and says some of her iconic phrases.
What kids learn through play with the Doc McStuffins Wash Your Hands Singing Doll: Singing is a form of communication and singing along with a doll not only builds verbal skills - it also helps lay a solid foundation for literacy. That’s because singing builds phonetic awareness, which means kids are actively making connections between letters and words as they sing. Songs are also a child’s first introduction to the concepts of rhyme and spelling.
Healthy Roots Dolls: Zoe Doll
Ages 6+
The Zoe doll is designed to help girls learn to love their curls and understand the beauty that lies in diversity! The doll features specially designed hair that’s full of curl power and can be styled just like real hair. The Zoe dolls can help children learn how to wash, style and care for their hair through play.
What kids learn through play with the Healthy Roots Zoe Doll: Toys can help children embrace diversity and parents can take a guiding role in play. Words matter! Robin Shaw, education expert and Genius of Play Ambassador, recommends that parents engage in diverse doll play with their kids and “refer to all the dolls as beautiful.” Modelling inclusive vocabulary can help children understand the value of diversity.
L.O.L. Remix Super Surprise
Ages 4+
Unbox 2 rock bands and 70+ surprises with LOL Surprise Remix Super Surprise. It’s the ultimate rock concert unboxing experience! Kids will find LOL Surprise O.M.G. Fashion Dolls, 4 LOL Surprise dolls (their sisters) and 4 rock instruments that really play music inside! The fashion dolls are in The Super Sonix rock band, and each include their own rock instrument that really plays music. Each instrument has 6 unique sounds you can play by pressing the buttons. Play the instruments together to create your own rock song.
What kids learn through play with L.O.L. Remix Super Surprise Dolls: Pretend play helps kids become good communicators. With L.O.L. Remix Super Surprise Dolls, kids can immerse themselves in the role of rock band members, develop the personality and voice of each character, and “play through” how each member would engage with the others. What would they say? What tone would they use to communicate with their bandmates? How will the others in the “band” react to this character? Kids develop important interpersonal communication skills in doll play - even as they play alone!
Squeakee by Moose Toys
Ages 5+
Squeakee is a Balloon Dog that combines everything kids love about balloons and a puppy! Squeakee is a charming, fully interactive toy who responds to your child’s voice. Like a real dog, kids can train him to do tricks and use his Squeaker Toy as a reward. Feed him, teach him, even “POP” him with his Pin and watch him deflate! Kids will be blown away at everything Squeakee can do.
What kids learn through play with Squeakee: Play with toys like Squeakee can be a great way to engage a child with speech delays or Sensory Processing Disorder. As your child gives Squeakee simple verbal commands, their brain is hard at work increasing sound discrimination, recognition, and sound anticipation. All of which can help children develop adaptive reactions to sounds.
HEXBUG nano® Land
Ages 3+
HEXBUG nano® Land helps kids discover the power of vibration! This mix and match playset features flexible jelly walls your kids can use to build imaginative playgrounds for their HEXBUG nanos®. This set also comes with a nano® Flash, and 2 super collectible HEXBUG nanos®.
What kids learn through play with HEXBUG nano® Land: Before the play begins, the communication starts! Kids will have to clearly convey ideas for building the perfect HEXBUG nano® Land, and listen as siblings or friends share their ideas. There is non-verbal communication skill-building at work too!
The unpredictability of HEXBUG’s mini robot toys means kids have to focus extra hard on the “body language” of the nanos as they switch direction, bounce off objects, and explore little nooks and crannies- just like real bugs! Learning to read body language is especially important as kids make the transition from home-based learning back to the classroom and play dates.
Looking for more ways to build communication skills through play? Check out our free Communication Skill--Building Play Ideas!