A child cannot have enough blocks!  Blocks have been shown to encourage cognitive, language, creative, math, and even early reading skills--the perfect toy!

These blocks help to promote better motor skills through building as well as help children learn pretend play. They are colorful and soft, making them safe for toddlers (read on)...

What parent doesn't want QUIET toys that teach their child invaluable skills?  I am a strong advocate for having many different types of blocks around the house.  These blocks are soft and durable and encourage gross motor skills and coordination.  Kids love them because of their size.

Who doesn't love legos?  Boys and Girls, no matter their interests, all love legos.  This is a great set and makes a wonderful gift.  Teaches children basic concepts, vocabulary, math skills, etc.  Legos make excellent toys!

This toy encourages vocabulary development, both receptive vocabulary (how many words a child understands) and expressive vocabulary (words a child says/speaks). 

It's not a bad toy for a long car ride either!  Young children love anything that looks like a game.  Read on...

An essential toy for any child.  This adds another element to creative play in that it also includes Legos.  There are so many opportunities for learning with a play house.  And yes, even boys should have one too.  Young children can be encouraged to speak for the people and role play.  Language concepts such as pronouns (I, you, yours, mine, his/hers, he/she), spatial concepts (upstairs, downstairs), and so much more are easily worked in to play with this toy.

Does your child love books?  This is a perfect toy to engage the child further into the book. Or, perhaps you have a busy body who can't sit for a book... then use this to encourage attention by engaging the child in more than just sitting and listening would do.  This allows the child to interact with the story line, further enhancing their receptive language skills (how well they understand).

Physical therapists have tons of fun with these toys.  Encourage gross motor skills and early sportsmanship.  Also a great toy for group play to encourage turn taking and social interaction with other kids.  Perhaps your child is shy, anxious, or is on the autism spectrum... this is a great toy to help kids learn to communicate and interact with other children... read on...

Toddlers love to imitate their parents or loved ones by cooking and making food for their families.  I can literally think of hundreds of ways that play food encourages child development, allow me to list a few...

Does your child love books?  This is a perfect toy to engage the child further into the book. Or, perhaps you have a busy body who can't sit for a book... then use this to encourage attention by engaging the child in more than just sitting and listening would do.  This allows the child to interact with the story line, further enhancing their receptive language skills (how well they understand).

This toy is a great companion to the play food seen on this site.  Play cash registers encourage children to learn early money skills and some simple math skills.  This is great for creative play and language skills. 

Does your child love books?  This is a perfect toy to engage the child further into the book. Or, perhaps you have a busy body who can't sit for a book... then use this to encourage attention by engaging the child in more than just sitting and listening would do.  This allows the child to interact with the story line, further enhancing their receptive language skills (how well they understand).

I love bean bags!  This is a great toy and although it looks simple, there are so many ways to play with these.  The bean bags are a fun way to increase a child's vocabulary, both expressive and receptive.  Have your child throw the bag into a basket or box and then see where it falls -- does it fall in front? in back? in? next to the box?  This is a great way to encourage language concepts.  Then, move on to reading... Throw to bags and then find the one that begins with the 'a' sound.... Hours of fun!