Playonwords.com Presents Their Spring 2024 PAL Awards - Best
Toys, Games and Media that Spark Language Development Through
Play
PHILADELPHIA, July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Play On Words, led by
highly respected speech-language pathologist Erika Cardamone,
announces Spring 2024 PAL Award Winners, the toy industry's only
recognition directed by a credentialed speech-language expert
identifying the language learning edge in exceptional toys, games
and media. Erika's 18 years of child development experience working
with kids empower her PAL Award selections, toy and game reviews,
blog, media appearances (FOX6 News Milwaukee, abc9 Syracuse and
PHL17 Philadelphia), and
consulting practice.
Play is a fundamental aspect that fosters
language, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth.
Play is the language of childhood. It is a fundamental aspect
that fosters language, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional
growth. From imaginative play that sparks creativity to physical
play that promotes motor skills — play equips children with the
tools they need to navigate our complex world.
"If you want your kids to learn about the physical world, let
them play with cups and water; don't lecture them about the
conservation of volume. And if you want your kids to learn about
the social world, let them play with other kids and resolve
disputes; don't lecture them about the Ten Commandments." —
Jonathan Haidt
Play helps children develop problem-solving abilities, enhances
their capacity for cooperation and teamwork, and builds resilience.
Through play, children learn to manage emotions, develop empathy,
and cultivate a positive sense of self.
With every trip around the sun as a parent of 4 young kids, and
with another year of "professional play" that I've completed as a
speech-language pathologist, I continue to be amazed by the
creativity, flexible thinking, and imaginations of children. Being
witness to every child practice real life skills is truly
incredible. It's this practice that will create the next wave of
inventions, inspiration, kindness and empathy in our world.
The PAL Award continues to seek out the best toys and games that
foster learning through play and encourage language development,
flexible thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Playonwords.com
helps toy brands and consumers alike see the strategic value of
language learning in play through its helping to build vocabulary,
foster cooperation, express emotion, kindle creativity and expand
descriptive and problem solving capacities. The PAL Award on the
internet, packaging and in print media differentiates brands who
know the marketplace now demands products that are not only fun,
but also infused with learning potential. The gold seal with three
smiley faces tells customers that more than great entertainment is
to be found on the box, book cover or app license.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT: Erika's experience in pediatric
speech-language therapy has given her an eye for the best products
to build attention, vocabulary and concepts through play, preparing
children for their first sounds, words and sentences. Whether
they're taking food orders, exploring music, understanding
turn-taking during gameplay, or using multi-sensory play through
movement, sounds, and touch, kids learn essential early language
skills.
- 4-in-1 Learning Hamburger by LeapFrog
- ABC Railway Alphabet Learning Train Set by Battat
- Baby Squishy Spikes Alligator by VTech
- Bright Explorer Educational Lightbox Playset by Battat
- ECO Junior Sand Set by miniland
- Flower Whistle by ToyLab
- Magnetic Calendar by Janod
- Melody Mansion by Hape
- Nest & Count Turtle Tower by LeapFrog
- Pop and Discover Shape Sorter by The Learning Journey
International
- Scribble Srubbie Jumbo Pets, Wilbur by Crayola
- Stir & Sort Food Court by Battat
- ZooJamz Doggy Xylophone by VTech
READING AND WRITING: As children grow older, literacy becomes a
focus in academics. Learning their first functional words and
phrases, rhyming words, sight words, and using a tracing pad that
allows for letter writing practice, all pick up essential skills to
advance reading and writing.
- Animal Rhymes Storytime by VTech
- Hot Dots Sight Words Card Set by Educational Insights
- Letter Tracing Sensory Pad by hand2mind
- Marvel Word Around by ThinkFun
- Pastels: Crayons, Markers and Colored Pencils by Crayola
- PAW Patrol Academy App by Spin Master
- PEEPS EggMazing Egg Decorator by Hey Buddy Hey Pal
- Talk and Teach Bus (Flash Card Reader) by The Learning Journey
International
- Talking Mirror My Sounds by hand2mind
- TekFun NanoDoodle
- The Story of Krit by Grandpa Kevin
LANGUAGE STRUCTURE, CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING: These
outstanding products can build language structure, critical
thinking and reasoning, often teaching vocabulary, concepts or
grammar while delivering fun. Following directions to create snacks
and crafts, strategizing in a majestic mushroom world, working
together to race a monster through a cave, and practicing problem
solving and flexible thinking during gameplay to promote resilience
and innovation through play.
- Barn Buddies Floor Puzzle by MindWare's Peaceable Kingdom
- Big Book of Activities for Little Kids by Highlights
- Bouncin Billy Goats by MindWare's Peaceable Kingdom
- Dadada by The Op Games
- GeoSafari Rocknoculars by Educational Insights
- Math Path Monster by ThinkFun
- Meowdy Partner by MindWare's Peaceable Kingdom
- Mycelia by Ravensburger
- MYO Butterfly House Kit by MindWare
- Nacho Pepper by MindWare
- Prickly Path by SimplyFun
- Rubik's Gridlock by Spin Master
- SlideAScope by SimplyFun
- Slingz by Blue Orange Games
- Wildlife World Puzzle, Rainforest by The Learning Journey
International
STORY-TELLING / PRETEND PLAY: Whether creating stories through
puppetry, imagining medieval conversation in castles, or listening
to dynamic tales of your favorite characters from an audio-box,
children enter the world of pretend, making their own stories with
plenty of flexible props to guide their imagination. Oral
story-telling precedes writing as kids learn the steps to create a
good narrative.
- Color Splash Water Park by MindWare
- Cook & Care Corner Kitchen and Nursery by Step2
- Curious Kingdom: Castle Playset by Playper
- Dinosaur Adventure Set by BRIO
- Gabbers by VTech
- Gray Mouse Puppet by Folkmanis
- Marvel Spidey & His Amazing
Friends: Black Panther Tonie by tonies
- Moose State Puppet by Folkmanis
- PAW Patrol Core Vehicle by Spin Master
- PLAYMOBIL Color: Hot Rod by PLAYMOBIL
- PoppinColorz Hydra 2-in-1 Blaster by South Beach Bubbles
- Shoebill Stage Puppet by Folkmanis
- Unpack Your Day Conversation Kit by Learning Resources
SOCIAL LANGUAGE: Complementary to pretend play, social language
blossoms when children play with toys and games that encourage
extended social interactions. Naming, and recognizing emotions in
oneself while defeating a city villain, taking turns during
gameplay, or exploring the outdoors with bubble blasters, children
understand and manage their emotions, leading to stronger emotional
and social skills.
- BIZYBOO Easter Hide 'N' Seek Busy Bags by Vango Toys
- Bumpas (Shloof and Spring) by Good Soul Brands
- Dino Dash Up & Down Roller Coaster by Step2
- Disney Dive N Surprise by SwimWays
- Empower Empathy by TinySprouts
- Mushie by Good Soul Brands
- Pop Up Pool by SwimWays
- Reusable Water Balloons by Soppycid
- School Readiness Games by University Games
- Splash Mat by SwimWays
ABOUT PLAYONWORDS.COM
Playonwords.com is fueled by well-respected speech-language
pathologist, Erika Cardamone. Her 18
years championing language rich play, lead reviewer for the PAL
Award, blog, and insightful tips to parents set her apart as the
leading advocate for the language component in toys.
Over 10,000 hours working directly with children has shown her
that a unique set of the best toys, games and books have the
capability to develop language while delivering great play.
Studies show:
- Kids with highest IQs at three, had the most words at one and
two
- Language learning is cumulative – early words => early
sentences => language & reading
- Most kids maintain their verbal advantage through
childhood
- Creative pretend play that sparks story-telling can advance
future literacy
Erika hopes that parents will recognize the PAL Award to
identify unique toys, games and books that through their design,
quality and character, encourage play that advances language. PAL
winners in the hands of kids, spark fun and creative play with lots
of talk. Such toys, recognized on the basis of her child
development expertise, are complemented by practical coaching in
her blog, showing parents, caregivers and teachers how to get the
most from toys, games and books to build language and underlying
cognitive skills.
Media Contact
Erika
Cardamone, Play On Words, 1 2032284438,
erika@playonwords.com, www.playonwords.com
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SOURCE Play On Words