Talking Points FOX6 Real Milwaukee 6-21-18

Toys to Inspire Storytelling to Keep Reading and Writing Sharp Over the Summer

Background on Sherry:

Sherry Artemenko, Speech Language Pathologist and Toy Expert is here to share super fun toys to build language skills through creative play and storytelling, keeping brains sharp over the summer break.

Today I am featuring some of the PAL Award’s latest winners that spark smart play. Information on all these toys is on my website, playonwords.com

Croco Jungle Research Station by Schleich, 3-8 years, $99

  • Carrying down hall to classroom to play and kids went, “Whoa!!”
  • Set it on the table and kids immediately began to collaborate in set up and starting a story
  • “The jaguar goes in here so he doesn’t make trouble
  • So many accessories that suggest different sub-plots of the story–treasure, trap door, ranger station, pens and animals, dangerous/sick, eating/ sleeping, cooking
  • Tired takes a nap in the “Hangmock”

Available at Amazon. Click here

Kruselings by Hape, 3 years and up,  ($28-$45)

  • Beautiful doll characters are Guardians of the Dreams.
  • Personalities: Vera, child of Grace, ballerina, waves wand, things dance
  • Sophia, Child of Nature, magic flower to speak in languages of creatures
  • Girls transformed their dolls from street clothes to wings and magic accessories
  • Ended up at teacher’s desk re-enacting their story, dialogue

Available at Fairhaven Toy Garden. Click here

Trap and Gap Baseplates by Strictly Briks, 4 and up, ($24.99)

  • Wisconsin company, CEO Dad remembers the fun he had playing with trap doors and extending ramps for escape, racing or parking
  • Strictly Briks are compatible with all major brick building brands
  • Their accessories and props add new dimension to story telling
  • Design best getaway adventure, house or  parking garage
  • Open ended play where child drives the story
  • Story changes as different toys are brought to the structure

Available at Strictly Briks. Click here

My Story Dolls by Faber-Castell, 6 and up, ($15.00)

  • These dolls just make me smile!
  • My little girlfriends chose to make Wishful, Goofy and Happy, unique fashion style, facial expression, mood and story to express through outfits
  • Chose mood, face, and clothes–floss hair, pom poms, rhinestones, fur
  • Conversation about choices online casino go, “Which face is wishful? eyes closed, dreaming?
  • Mixing conversation and crafting is rich experience
  • Kids learn to express feelings and recognize them in others, increasing EQ and building social language skills

Available at Faber-Castell. Click here

Frog Life Cycle by Folkmanis, 3 years and up, ($68)

  • I came into classroom, “Who wants to put on a puppet show?”
  • 2 boys came back and put on a show for me
  • Starts as the egg, lenticular printed patch with tadpole swimming->
  • tadpole-> frog
  • “In a few days I’ll be a frog to play with you!”
  • Puppets can bring out shy kids to engage in dialogue and story telling

Playful Chef Chocolate Studio and Shoppe by MindWare, 4 and up, ($16-$50)

  • Cooking is wonderful language activity: sequence directions, measure, learn fractions, and here set up display for a candy shop!
  • Boys loved making chocolate hearts from mom for Mother’s Day
  • Could write out menu, prices etc for writing practice and exchange play money
  • Kid tip: chocolates harden faster in the refrigerator

Available at MindWare. Click here

Pop Oh Ver Stove by Kangaroo Manufacturing, 3 years and up, ($39.95)

  • Unfold the canvas and slip it over a chair
  • Ready for the little chef
  • Perfect for parents, grandparents, teachers with limited space
  • Cleverly designed by a mom of 7
  • Building stories as they imitate adults in their life

Available at Amazon. Click here