What does it mean when a toddler talks to toys?

Observing the interaction of the toddler with the doll, the toy car, or even the stuffed animal, parents may experience some amusement and puzzlement. Are the children merely having imagination, or could there be something more to all of this? The thing is, the conversations the toddler has with the doll, car, or stuffed animal are all part of good and normal child development. Not only that, but these interactions also exude creativity and intellect.

When young children talk to their toys, they are employing their use of imagination. The toys are given roles with emotions, voices, and personalities. The pretend play also provides young children with a secure method to rehearse live experiences. By imagining what is being said, young children are rehearsing social interactions such as taking care, sharing, or problem-solving.

Speaking to toys gives toddlers an opportunity to use new vocabulary and sentences without worrying about being corrected or interrupted. Unlike an adult, the toys will always ignore toddlers and not interrupt or correct them when they are speaking. Taking part in this activity enables toddlers to use words repeatedly as well as learn how to pronounce words in different ways and may also utilize an overheard conversation.

Through interactions with toys, toddlers learn how to interact with each other. They can talk to their toys, reprimand them, ask them questions, or comfort them. Through such interactions, they are able to understand feelings such as kindness, anger, and empathy. Through expressing various feelings, toddlers are able to understand how to handle their feelings and those of other people. Talking to toys enables toddlers to express their emotions.

Two-year-olds will replay the events of the day in play. If a child discusses eating, sleeping, or going out with a toy, it’s possible that the child is working through an experience from earlier. This allows the child to better understand a new experience by connecting it to what she or he already knows. Problem solving by discussing the problem, or the experience, with the toys, allows the child to put thoughts together that haven’t been verbalized.

Having conversations with toys is a normal and positive milestone. The child is showing signs of being curious, creative, and developing. These signs will change as he or she grows older. Caregivers can help by engaging with these conversations. Instead of being concerned, parents should take these conversations as signs of a young, thriving, and curious mind.