My favorite toy for toddlers (well, one of them at least!).  This toy encourages fine motor skills and is very popular in our office--the Occupational Therapist and I are always fighting over it. 

Chicco's award-winning Gazoobo Shape Sorter is a classic toy with a twist.

Excellent toy for early reading!  My son has spent hours playing with this toy on our refrigerator and sings the little tune that goes along with the letters.  I can't say enough about this toy!  Read on...

Among my favorite books!  This book is great for teaching colors, animals, and sequencing.  Read this book with a young child to teach them concepts of colors and names of animals.  Use this book with an older child to teach sequencing (i.e., what happened first, next, last, etc). 

Many children need to be taught about feelings and taught the right words to use to express themselves.  I see many kids that simply explode or tantrum because they do not know another way to express themselves.  These books encourage loved ones to talk to their kids about feelings.  These books use real faces versus cartoon images which are better for kids with special needs. 

This toy has been on my fridge for 2 years.  An occupational therapist gave it to me at my baby shower!  She said her children loved it.... she was right.  I put it up when my son was only 10 months.  He knew every letter by the age of 2.  I must say this is a great product from LeapFrog.

So many children love the book "Good Night Moon," including my son.  This is a great game to play just before bedtime.  Read the book, then play the game of memory or just use the cards to make matches. For an older child, make a pattern of the cards and have the child remember and match the pattern.  This works on visual memory and cognitive skills.  The perfect first game for every child. Beginning players match identical pictures. Memory versions included for advanced players.

Kids love the element of surprise with this toy... what shape will I pick out of the bag next?  There are multiple ways to play with this toy.  Use it to encourage your children to name shapes; have your child reach in the bag and try to pick out the triange (encourages sensory exploration); fine motor development occurs as the child places the piece in the puzzle.  Tons of fun.  Sometimes the simplest toys are the best.

Thomas & Friends Station Stop matching game is a fun yet challenging game to help improve your child's memory and attention...

My son had an older version of this toy and I have to give this toy credit for his learning his letters by the age of two.  This is a great simple toy to encourage early reading skills as well as fine motor.  This is also a great toy to take on trips in the car or to allow the child to play in his/her bed before bedtime to calm down.  I highly recommended this toy as a speech pathologist and a mother! 

125 Brain Games for Babies is filled with enjoyable ways to lay the groundwork for your baby's future. It is packed with everyday opportunities to...

This toys is enticing to young and older children.  Toddlers will enjoy placing the pieces on the poles and stacking them.  Older children will enjoy following the patterns and trying to match them up.  Definitely a toy that will not be tossed away after a few months.  Excellent for fine motor skills.