Gifts for Children with Speech Delays: Bubbles to Musical Instruments

Children with speech delays often lack muscle tone. As children grow the muscle tone strengthens. Unfortunately for children with speech delays, the muscles in their jaws, cheeks and mouth often develop at a slower rate. To encourage muscle growth in these areas speech pathologists and occupational therapists utilize toys and activities in therapy sessions. My children all have a speech delay and have been given many tips over the years to help overcome the delays. There are enjoyable toys that encourage muscle tone growth in the targeted areas. Many of these toys are not often thought of, but would make great gifts for children with speech delays.

Toys to consider are those that require work from face muscles such as the mouth, cheeks and jaws. There are toys that a child must operate by blowing. These types of toys help develop the targeted face areas.

Musical instruments are great gifts for children with speech delays. There are several instruments that are operated by mouth. For younger children try a harmonica, recorder or kazoo. Older children could even master a new musical talent with lessons to play a musical instrument such as a flute, clarinet, saxophone or French horn.

Bubbles are great gifts for children with speech delays. These days many bubble blowing toys are battery operated. Battery operated bubble toys may be fun, but they don't work the targeted muscles for children with speech delays. Bubble toys that require children to blow into a bubble wand are preferred. They make several different style wands. Try to collect a wide variety of wands for your child's enjoyment.

Karaoke machines or microphones are great gifts for children with speech delays. Children can have hours of fun singing to their favorite song selections while exercising their target muscles areas. There are many different versions of karaoke machines and microphones. They make them for even the youngest children.

Toys that you can incorporate straws are great gifts for children with speech delays. You can buy a variety of straws of different colors, sizes and shapes. This will keep straw blowing activities new and fun for your child. Buy small light weight balls and feathers that can be blown by straws. Create games and races while conducting these exercises. In addition, art projects can be done with straws. Paint can be placed on the paper and your child can blow into the straws making fun and interesting patterns.

These toys and activities have been some of my children's favorites. They have spent many hours playing these toys and activities that encourage muscle growth in there mouth, cheeks and jaws. Once these muscles develop, speech skills are developed more easily.