Best Toys for Babies

In a study recently published in the JAMA Pediatrics, researcher Anna Sosa explored the effects different types of toys had on language and learning. It should be noted, Ms. Sosa is a Speech Language Pathologist and was often asked by clients if electronic toys would help improve their child's language skills, which inspired this study.

In the study, 26 families with children 10-16 months of age (without any currently diagnosed speech/language delays) participated by audio recording themselves while playing with the toys provided. The families were given electronic toys: a baby laptop and toy cell phone as well as traditional toys: farm animal set, stacking block, large peg puzzle and books. Play sessions lasted 15 minutes and were analyzed for the number of words spoken per minute during play. The results revealed the most language and interaction when playing with the books, closely followed by the traditional toys. Additionally, the number of conversation turns between the parent and child, the number of parent responses, the number of content specific words and the number of child vocalizations were highest for books, closely followed by the traditional toys with the scores for interactions lowest when using the electronic toys.

Content specific words are important for learning language. For instance, if the child pointed to a ball, the adult might say, "Ball. Are you looking at the ball?" This provides the child feedback about the words in context to what is happening in real time. Electronic toys can't provide children with content specific words as they are pre programmed and can't account for body language, eye contact and other communication methods young children use before they can speak.

The take away, electronic toys aren't bad, but there is no replacement for you, your words, your responses, and your feedback when it comes to helping your child learn language.

For more information on language development visit our blog post: Babies Need to Hear Words.