“For Christmas gifts, ASHA usually encourages families to adopt low-tech toys because they can aid children’s development in a number of ways,” said ASHA President. A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP. “They include improving their vocabulary, conversation and turn-taking skills, socialization, problem-solving skills, imagination, creativity, attention span, and more.”
Williams continued. ‘In view of the influential supply chain and manufacturing shopping this year, it may be a reimagine gift giving time In addition to their developmental benefits, traditional, hands-on toys are often cheaper and a better value all around, especially now with rising costs straining families’ spending budgets for the holidays. “
Below are some ASHA suggestions for holiday gifts by age group.
Non-tech gift ideas to develop children’s language and learning (0 to 5 years old)
Books (tactile books, flip books and simple picture books for the youngest)
Shape sorters, ring stackers and nesting buckets
Blocks and balls
Big wooden puzzles and buttons
Animal and family sets
Toy farms and barns
Toy vehicles, garages, ramps / tunnels and train sets
Wind-up, pop-up and pounding toys
Pretend tools and workbenches
Toy musical instruments
Bubbles
Activity cubes
Pretend money and cash registers
Simple craft kits and art supplies such as pencils and Play-Doh
Figurines, dinosaurs, dolls and puppets
Costumes and fancy dress supplies
Fake Doctor / Vet Sets
Toy food, grocery carts and kitchen utensils
Construction toys (for example, Lincoln Logs, Magnatiles and Legos)
Non-tech gift ideas to develop children’s language, literacy and learning (ages 5-8)
Books, graphic novels and magazine subscriptions (p. Highlights, National Geographic Kids)
Board and card games
Craft supplies and kits (drawing, beads / jewelry)
Science kits and science experiment books
Slime, Play-Doh and sand / foam play
Play dough and silly putty
Dolls and figurines
Construction toys (for example, Lincoln Logs, Magnatiles and Legos)
Collectible cards
Kitchen supplies (kid-friendly cookbooks, kid-friendly knives / utensils)
Subscription packages (cooking, STEM)
Costumes and fancy dress supplies
Magic sets
Jump ropes and hoops
Outdoor sports and games for group play
Bikes, scooters and roller / blade skates
Non-tech gift ideas to develop children’s language, literacy and learning (ages 8 and up)
Chapter books and magazine subscriptions (for example, Sports Illustrated Kids, Cricket)
Fun diaries / diaries and scrapbooks, pens / stickers
Board and card games (idiots, trivia, conversation-based)
Collectible cards
Arts and Crafts Project Sets
Science kits, instruments (telescope, microscope)
Subscription packages (cooking, STEM)
Advanced building sets (e.g. Legos, instant circuits)
3d / puzzles
Crosswords, Sudoku and chess games
Camping supplies
Sport equipment
Fitness, outdoor / court and obstacle course games
Age-appropriate gardening tools or supplies
Decor to personalize the room
“It should also be noted that, especially for young children, there are many household items that can be used as toys, art supplies, or building materials, allowing children to create, imagine and explore,” Williams added. . “Parents don’t have to spend a lot of money to stimulate their children’s curiosity and development.”
For more information and advice on the balanced use of technology, visit ASHA’s Healthy Communication and Popular Technology initiative at www.communicationandtech.org.
Media contact: Francine Pierson, 301-296-8715, [email protected]
SOURCE American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Related links
http://www.asha.org
