How can we help?
The EIRG is committed to supporting families during their child’s first years of life. During this time, babies learn to roll, crawl, sit, stand, walk, talk, and sing. But not all children develop in the same way. During this period of incredible growth, it is important to maximize early learning opportunities based on your child’s own pace.
We have compiled resources and tips to help families in supporting their child’s early development. Use the Categories and Tags lists on this page to find posts of interest. You can subscribe using your email at the bottom of the page to be notified whenever a new post is added to the Resources section.
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations. We have compiled this diverse list of toys and household item to help support your child's communication.Choose traditional toys over electronic ones Children are often drawn to...
Spray bottles can make a novel toy and a fun activity for children that like to play with water. You can find small plastic ones for a couple dollars at most grocery stores or pharmacies. They will work across several levels of play and you can use it as an...
Shape sorters come in all shapes and sizes. This is one of our favorites because it’s two toys in one! Even though shape sorters seem like “educational” toys, all of our general toy recommendations still apply. That means letting your child lead and making it fun....
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations This is a classic go-to toy for children playing at simple and combination levels. It can serve as an “entry level” toy for children who are just becoming interested in toys. ...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations This cookie set, which includes cookies with detachable icing, a cookie tray, an oven mitt and utensils, is great toy for your toddler that will grow with him or her from simple...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations This toy bathtub is extra fun because it pumps out real water! It can be a great choice to help young children work on their pretend play skills, but it also works for children at...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Toys that incorporate real water can be extra exciting for little ones, and this pretend sink can be fun for children at all different levels of play. Don’t forget to think about...
Wait! Don’t throw away that toilet paper tube! Save those tubes from the trash can and repurpose them into a great toy, no DIY crafting necessary. You can find a list of general play strategies here to help you discover what level of play your child is currently...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Vehicles are always a great addition to any toy collection. A great vehicle toy, like this school bus, can be a part of your child’s play through many stages of growth and...
This classic toy seems to be found in every household! He is silly and goofy, and provides endless combinations of silly faces. Some ways we play with Mr. Potato Head are not so obvious though, and we wanted to share them with you! Included in the italics are example...
**Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Some toys and household items may contain choking hazards. Please be sure to check each product’s cautionary statements and age recommendations and do not leave your child...
To adults a roll of tape can seem about as ho-hum as it gets, but for a toddler it is exciting stuff. Tape is sticky, makes cool noises when it’s pulled off, and can be rolled across the floor. You can find a list of general play strategies here to help you discover...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Whether it’s the delicious treat or the toy variety, ice cream is a hit with almost every kid. It also lends itself to a variety of play ideas for different levels and many...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations This is one of our go-to toys for children who are just beginning to engage with toys or for our children with autism who love to watch things spin! It is simple, colorful, sturdy,...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations We love puppets at the EIRG because they are a fun addition to playing with pretend food, and they can also span a wide variety of play levels. This puppet is one of our favorites...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Here at the EIRG, we love this hungry hippo! While it is not a complicated toy, there are great ways to adapt it to fit lots of different levels of play. We never even bother...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Bright colors, convenient storage, and a variety of play ideas make these stacking blocks a great toy for any toddler! Please see the introductory page here to learn more about the...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Nesting blocks are a popular childhood toy, and these are one of our favorite sets! They are made of cardboard which means they are not quite as durable as wood, but they also hurt...
Books are for reading, right? To this we reply an emphatic “Yes! And…” Reading with your child is important on many levels, but this post is about how to use those board books you have lying around your home as a toy. These heavy duty book are versatile and can be...
We all have lonely socks lying around who have lost their partners due to the turmoil of the dryer. With a little creativity, these cast-aside socks can become a go-to toy! Remember to pay attention to and go along with your child’s play ideas, but feel free to...
** Our research group has not accepted any monetary incentives for our recommendations Pretend food is a classic toy, and when it’s cut-able, there are even more ways you can play with them. So let’s grab some and get cookin’! Included in parentheses are some words...
One of our top favorite household items to use as a toy is the salad spinner! See some play and language ideas below. You can use the introductory page here to learn more about the different play levels and which one may be most appropriate for your child. As always,...
Upcycle that old oatmeal or coffee canister into a fun and engaging toy for your toddler! Here are a variety of play ideas you can do with a canister, as well as ideas of words to say along with the play. Please see the introductory page here to learn more about the...
What could be simpler than grabbing some cups when you need a quick and easy toy for your tot? Styrofoam, Dixie, plastic, paper: all will work! You can use the example words and sentences in italics to add rich and diverse language to your play. Remember to balance...