Do you want to know how to teach the most powerful core words? It can be challenging for SLPs to teach these in speech therapy sessions…but I have some tips for you to make it easier!
What are core words?
Core words are part of the list of the words we use the most in our daily life (80% of what we communicate). You will not see a lot of core words that are nouns. Core words are usually represented by verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, articles, adjectives, pronouns. {from Fluent AAC}.
The amazing thing about core words is how powerful they are. You can use them to communicate across a variety of contexts. For example, when my son was about 18 months old, he used to use the word ‘out’ frequently. He said ‘out’ to ask to get out of his high chair. In addition, he said ‘out’ because he wanted to go outside. He also said ‘out’ when pouring water out of a container in the bathtub. Finally, he said ‘out’ when we got out of the car. Obviously, we have one powerful word, that could be used to communicate quite a few things.
The difficult things about core words is that because they are so powerful and because they can be used to communicate a variety of things…they can also be somewhat abstract. These words can be hard to define and they can be difficult to visualize in the mind. For example, if I asked you “What does the word ‘cookie’ mean?” You might say it is usually a round, sweet baked good that you eat. But, if I asked “What does the word ‘out’ mean?” It is really hard to tell someone! There is not just one thing that you picture in your mind.
Nevertheless, when it comes to AAC users and emergent communicators, it is important to give your students access to ALL THE WORDS in a robust communication system. Many SLPs really struggle on how to best teach core words.
Here are three ways to effectively teach core words:
- Model targeted words using AAC. It is so important to model language in the same way that we expect our students to communicate. If you expect your student to communicate FINISHED on a core board, then point to that symbol on the core board and say the word verbally. When you want your student to communicate HELP on LAMP WFL, then activate the word HELP on the device and verbally say the word. {Pro tip: If you want staff -and parent!-buy-in on modeling AAC, make sure you share this awesome video on Aided Language Stimulation–a fancy way to say modeling!}
- Repetition, repetition, repetition! Since core words are abstract and frequently occurring, it is super important to use them (and model them) frequently! Choose a targeted word – model it and practice it in a variety of settings.
- Choose the most powerful words– There are LOTS of core words. If you have students who are struggling to meaningfully use core words, make sure that you are using the most concrete and functional core words.
I truly believe in giving students access to ALL THE WORDS; but if you need a structured, list of words to teach ; these are the 30 words that I have curated over many years {in no particular order}
- finished
- up
- down
- yes
- no
- out
- good
- want
- in
- bad
- want
- stop
- I
- like
- do
- go
- more
- little
- you
- see
- play
- big
- close
- help
- open
- eat
- make
- drink
- turn
- put
Do you need a structured lesson plan and activities to teach core words?
If you want a structured lesson plan to teach these core words, consider my Core Word Curriculum. This curriculum is designed for students who struggle to meaningfully use core words to communicate. Each lesson unit targets ONE core word. It is meant to last 2-4 weeks! It absolutely gives you step-by-step instructions on how to teach the most powerful core words! It includes:
- Three leveled core boards
- Individual symbols of various sizes, high contrast options, + one that fits on a Big Mack or single-cell switch
- Four editable lesson plans
- One page of links to digital activities that teach that specific core word
- Google Slide Deck – book: all about that specific core word with real photographs and symbols.
- Visual Supports–such as sentence strips and classroom visuals to help generalize the word; as well as learn how to combine that core word with other words.
- Data Collection Form
- Parent Letter + extension activities
- Homework worksheets
- Progress Monitoring (for all 30 core words)
P.S. If you are looking to target sentence expansion, be sure to check out this blog post!
