2019 Holiday Shopping Guide

Elizabeth Ulreich-Moran
Nov 30, 2019
3 min read

IDEAS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's that time of year when we begin shopping for a number of people on our lists. This includes anyone from our family to friends to coworkers...and many people in between.

I've curated a list of ideas to make your shopping a little easier this year. Check out the items below for some ideas to support a number of skills from language to swallowing to cognition. There is something for everyone, no matter their age.

What's in a Gift?

The number one question I get from followers is: "What is the best toy for language?"

You'll find several ideas on the list that can support language development. In fact, there is research that states the simple toys are the best toys. The less bells and whistles the better because this encourages the use of language between both people playing.

Think about it - take Legos for example. Language and cognition can be stimulated by the following tasks:

requesting
sorting by color, size, shape
commenting
counting the number of blocks, or the number of colors in a pile
turn-taking

Check out the ideas below. Have questions regarding specific toys? Have questions about how to incorporate communication, cognition or swallowing skills using some of these items? Send me an email! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook, too!

A Gift for Anyone

Disclaimer: Communicate Anew has no affiliation with any of the companies recommended. Recommendations listed are suggestions for individuals of all ages. Please use your discretion when choosing gifts and consider the age of the person you are shopping for.

TOYS

Play Kitchen
Workshop and tool set
Dollhouse
Farm/barn set
Balance Moon
Montessori Toys
Puzzles
Bubbles
Car/train set
Musical Instruments
Paint
Crayons/markers with activity pads/books
Bicycles (don't forget helmets!)
Play-Doh
Kinetic Sand
Legos, blocks
Nesting cups/blocks
Balls/ball pit
Activity Sets
Sensory Toy Ideas from an OT

EXPERIENCES AND ACTIVITIES

Memberships and gift cards are perfect ways to get out into the community!

Zoo
Farm
Museum
Aquarium
Sports: soccer, swimming, mini golf, tennis, gymnastics, dance, etc.
Arts & crafts center: The Giggling Pig, Board and Brush
Cooking classes: CIA
Wine Tasting (21 and older)
Brewery Tour (21 and older)
Broadway Show
Concerts
Singing and/or acting lessons
Disney on Ice
American Girl Store
Workshops at Home Depot
Vacation
Gift card to a restaurant

MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS

BOOKS

Books in general are a fantastic option.
Research suggests that books that are repetitive in nature are excellent for stimulating language development.
For older children/teenagers, choose an area of interest and go from there. The library is a great place to start. Chat with the librarian for some ideas!
Pair a book with an experience. Where does the story take place? Are you near that area? Go on a road trip!
Looking for ideas on kindness? Search "kindness children's books" on Amazon for a list of several options
Looking for ideas on gender inclusiveness or gender fluidity? Check out my Instagram page for list of options. You can always search on Amazon, too!
Cook boo

STEM

Science and technology toys are truly not to be skipped. My advice for items that use screen time is to interact with your child as you play! This is a way to encourage communication and learning at the same time. Tablets should always be used with parental controls that have a timer. Tablets should be used for a maximum of 1 hour per day. My recommendation is 30 minutes maximum for ages 5 and under.