The Importance of Toys in Early Literacy

Teaches Alphabet and Numbers

• The right kind of toys can help young children develop their knowledge of the alphabet and numbers, which are the foundation of reading and writing. Building block toys with letters and numbers written in different colors are a fun and effective way to teach children the alphabet and numbers, while also beginning the process of identifying colors. As infants become toddlers, they learn to associate the letter or number with the word of the alphabet, which also helps their motor skills because they are grasping and holding the blocks and moving them around.

Promotes Imagination

• Playing with specific kinds of toys can help develop a child's imagination, which can open his mind to the process of discovery and learning. For young boys, toy trains and models help them create imaginary characters and situations. For young girls, dolls, dollhouses, stuffed animals and kitchen sets allow them to make up different scenarios that develops their imagination. For both genders, the creative freedom of imaginative play is a quality that can they can also use when reading or listening to a story.

Enhances Listening Skills

• One of the ways young children first learn to read is by listening to words and sounds. From the time they are babies, children are often exposed to audio stimulation usually provided by toys such as sound machines that play nursery rhymes, books that play recorded voices, rattles, and toy instruments such as pianos, guitars and trumpets. These kinds of toys engage a child's attention and refine her listening skills, which is a huge component of learning how to read and write.

Improves Memory Skills

• One of the hallmarks of early childhood development is the ability to retain information and recall it at a later date. Memory is a key aspect of learning; without the ability to remember what they've learned, children will struggle to acquire reading and writing skills. Toys that help to improve memory include puzzles, matching cards and flashcards. At a young age, puzzles should be fairly simple -- six to 12 pieces -- and large. Children may need help the first few times in putting the pieces together, but with the help of the picture on the box of the puzzle, they will usually begin to remember where the pieces go fairly quickly. Flashcards with pictures are also effective, as they combine an image and a word, which engages a child's cognitive and memory skills at the same time.