ABC Learning Toys Support Cognitive Development
Every early reader starts out by learning their ABC’s. Reading is the foundation of all future learning, so it’s never too early to expose babies and toddlers to the shapes and sounds that make up the alphabet.
The best ABC learning toys aid cognitive development by helping toddlers recognize alphabet shapes, phonics and associated objects, to assist letter to sound association for early reading skills.
Basic symbol, image and shape recognition occurs from even 6 months old, so combing the recognition of letter shapes with images and objects, as well as the sounds they relate to can go along way towards encouraging basic early reading skills and a love of learning.
Educational Benefits of ABC Learning Toys
A recent study (by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Community Child Health and The Royal Children’s Hospital), found that kids who possessed early reading skills in preschool achieved higher academic success in later school years, when compared with students who couldn’t read prior to school age.
The best abc learning toys encourage recognition of the alphabet, helping children relate uppercase and lowercase letters to the sounds they produce, and ultimately the words they make. Learning is rarely passive at this stage, so consider alphabet toys that are highly interactive and make learning fun.
Flashcards are also a great resource which can be used by parents and carers to help toddlers relate a familiar object to the sound and letter that refers to it. Use flashcards to make up a song or a story and ensure repetition of your activity with the cards and you’ll be surprised at how quickly they’ll remember them.
Once a toddler has a grasp of letters, and sounds that make up the alphabet, they can quickly progress their reading abilities by utilizing reading games, spelling games and fun to play sight word games like Zingo!.
Best ABC Learning Toys in 2018
The best ABC learning toys will be interactive ones which are enjoyed when playing with a parent or through self guidance. We’ve consulted some early educational experts for these golden recommendations, but all it really takes to help a toddler become familiar with letters is to provide an ample amount of fun and varied opportunities to play with them.
Melissa & Doug
You can view all these and more at our online toy shop. Fill your cart with multiple toys, then we’ll send your whole cart to Amazon.com to checkout. Too easy!