SEL Toys Are the New STEM Toys, and Here Are 8 to Buy

Forget about STEM for a sec—there’s a new trend in the word of children’s toys and it totally makes sense for the times we’re in. Introducing: SEL toys, aka social emotional learning toys. So, what exactly are these special playthings and how do they help a child’s development? (In other words, what on earth could make you consider adding more toys to your kid’s already overflowing collection?) We spoke to both a toy expert and a child psychologist to find out more—and suffice it to say, we’re already drafting a wishlist.

According to Ali Mierzejewski, Editor-in-Chief of Toy Insider, SEL toys are ones that promote the development of important social and emotional skills like “setting goals, naming your feelings, asking for help and showing empathy.” When children learn and practice these skills through play, it “builds mental and emotional awareness, healthy habits and good communication skills,” she explains.

Of course, almost any toy can be considered an SEL toy when more than one child is playing with (read: fighting over) it at the same time. These interactions provide opportunities for kids to learn about sharing, turn-taking and accepting the ideas of their peers—not to mention the opportunity for children to identify and cope with difficult feelings, should any of the aforementioned expectations prove too frustrating in the moment.

However, since most kids are currently suffering the isolating effects of school closures and social distancing, it should come as no surprise that the popularity of SEL-specific toys is soaring. Dr. Bethany Cook, clinical psychologist and author of For What It’s Worth: How to Thrive and Survive Parenting from Ages 0-2, confirms the importance of these toys, particularly in light of the current context. “Societal demands on parents are at the highest they’ve ever been as a collective whole. Given that, it’s important children and parents are given toys (i.e., tools) to promote learning in areas such as boundary setting, accepting limits and understanding feelings. Toys designed with SEL in mind are perfect not only for teaching, but for filling gaps when needed.”

Bottom line: SEL toys are a boon not only to age-appropriate social development, but also to overall wellness during these unusual times (because wellness isn’t just about physical health, but emotional health as well).

So, you think there might be space in your playroom for a few SEL additions after all, but you’re not sure where to start. “Some SEL development skills that parents can look for when reading the benefits of toys are emotion identification, mental meditation and calming techniques, inspirational and empathetic characters, and anxiety-soothing and coping mechanisms,” Mierzejewski tells us. Good news: The packaging of any particular product will make its benefits plain, so it shouldn’t be too hard to identify the ones that check some SEL boxes.

Other than making sure the toy you purchase actually serves an SEL purpose, the toy expert also recommends that you pick a plaything that aligns with the child’s specific interests and temperament (you know, to avoid a scenario in which said child won’t even give it the time of day). Fortunately, there’s a plethora of SEL playthings on the market, covering a wide range of developmental stages and play patterns. Of course, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the number of options, you can always just pick something from the following list of expert-recommended toys.