Core Words: The Power of Unlocking Communication

Hey there, teachers and parents! Today, I want to share something that’s close to my heart: teaching children to communicate using core words.

I am a Special Education Resource Teacher now, and I used to be a Kindergarten teacher in a school with a high number of students from multilingual families as well as many students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other communication challenges.

One of my favourite parts of my job is seeing students develop their ability to communicate. It’s filled with excitement, progress, and meaningful connections that truly light up my day. If you’d be interested in hearing more, or seeing concrete examples of lessons I do, please let me know!

Today I’ll share the methods and reasons why I use core words in my small group lessons and I’ll point you in the direction of my favourite free resources for teaching children “core words”.

Parent Concerns

As a parent, watching your child struggle to communicate can evoke a lot of emotions. One of the most common feelings parents experience is a deep sense of empathy. You want nothing more than to understand your child’s needs, thoughts, and feelings, but when communication barriers arise, you may feel helpless, as you long to bridge that gap.

At the same time, parents may also question whether they’ve done something wrong or if they could have somehow prevented their child’s communication challenges. These feelings are completely natural, but it’s important for parents to remember that communication difficulties are nobody’s fault and are often just a part of their child’s unique journey. With the right support and resources, children can overcome these challenges and thrive in their own way.

Above all, parents of children who struggle with communication learn to cherish the small moments of connection and understanding. Whether it’s a shared smile, a new word or phrase, or a simple gesture, these moments serve as powerful reminders that the relationship you have with your child is the most important factor in their learning.

If you’re a parent navigating the ups and downs of supporting your child’s communication journey, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions, and it’s okay to seek support when you need it.

Hang in there, and never lose sight of the incredible impact your love and support have on your child’s journey.

Let’s look at some strategies and resources you can use.

Core Vocabulary

What exactly is this “core vocabulary” approach and how can we use it?

Core vocabulary are the high-frequency words that make up about 80% of what we say every day. Think of words like “want,” “more,” “go,” “stop,” “help,” and “like.” By focusing on these core words, we’re giving children the building blocks they need to express themselves in a wide variety of situations. It’s like giving them the keys to unlock countless doors of communication possibilities!

Teaching core words effectively requires patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs and abilities. Here are some best practices to consider when incorporating core vocabulary into your teaching approach:

1. Model, Model, Model: Children learn best by example, so make sure to model the use of core words frequently and consistently. Use the core words in natural, everyday situations, and be sure to model both spoken and visual-based communication methods. (Keep reading for more information on those!)
2. Provide Opportunities for Practice: Encourage children to actively engage with core words by providing plenty of opportunities for practice. This could include structured activities, games, and daily routines where they can use core vocabulary to express their wants, needs, and thoughts.
3. Personalize Core Vocabulary: Tailor your selection of core words to match the interests, preferences, and experiences of each child. By making core vocabulary relevant and meaningful to them, you can increase their motivation to communicate and their overall engagement with the learning process.
4. Create Visual Supports: Visual supports, such as core word boards (see below for the link to a free one!), picture cards, and visual schedules, can enhance comprehension and communication for children who benefit from visual cues. These supports provide a visual reference for core vocabulary words and help children make connections between words and their meanings.
5. Provide Immediate Feedback: Offer positive reinforcement and immediate feedback when children use core words successfully. Celebrate their efforts and accomplishments, whether it’s through verbal praise, high-fives, or other forms of encouragement. This positive reinforcement helps reinforce desired communication behaviors and builds confidence over time.
6. Embed Core Vocabulary Across Environments: Extend the use of core vocabulary beyond the classroom or therapy session by encouraging its use in various settings and with different communication partners. Consistency across environments helps reinforce learning and generalization of core vocabulary skills.
7. Be Patient and Flexible: Remember that learning to communicate using core words is a gradual process that takes time and persistence. Be patient with children as they navigate this journey, and be willing to adapt your teaching strategies based on their individual progress and needs.
8. Use Aided Language Input (ALI): ALI is a strategy where the communicator’s speech is supported or supplemented by pointing to the corresponding symbols on the AAC system. This reinforces the connection between spoken words and their symbolic representation, helping children better understand and use core vocabulary.

Visual Core Boards

How do we make these core words more accessible to our kids? That’s where a core board comes in. A core board is essentially a visual tool that displays a set of core vocabulary words in a consistent layout. It can be a physical board, a digital app, or even a simple sheet of paper. The key is to have these words readily available and organized in a way that makes sense to the child.

Some people might worry that using visuals to communicate will stop a child from becoming verbal, but that’s not true. The goal is to support early language development until it is no longer necessary or helpful. Here is a free example of a core board from Proloquo2Go.

Learning Core Words with AAC

Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is AAC, and why do we use it? AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and it’s all about finding ways to support individuals who have difficulty with spoken language. This could be due to conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. AAC encompasses a wide range of tools and strategies, including sign language, picture communication systems, and speech-generating devices.

The core vocabulary approach is just one piece of the AAC puzzle, but it’s a crucial one. By incorporating core words into AAC systems, we’re empowering children to express themselves more efficiently and effectively. We’re giving them a voice that transcends barriers and opens up new opportunities for connection and learning.

Which Core Words Should I Start With?

When determining which core words to start with, it’s essential to consider the foundational vocabulary that will have the broadest impact on a child’s ability to communicate effectively. Some commonly recommended core words to begin with include high-frequency verbs like “go,” “stop,” “want,” “like,” “eat,” and “play.” These verbs allow children to express their desires, actions, and preferences in various contexts.

Additionally, core words such as “more,” “help,” “all done,” and “yes/no” are essential for requesting assistance, indicating preferences, and expressing basic needs. By starting with these core words, children can quickly begin to build a functional vocabulary that will serve as a solid foundation for further language development and communication growth. As children become more familiar with these core words, you can gradually introduce additional vocabulary to expand their communication repertoire.

This resource for a “Core Word of the Week” from the Center for AAC & Autism is great for assigning an order to the words and providing ideas for practicing them at home or in a classroom.

Other Quick Tips and Strategies:

• Constantly observe your child/student to notice any hints of new learning. Watch for small hints in their body language and facial expressions.
• Use an engaging tone of voice with lots of variation between loud and quiet, high and low, etc.
• I assign each word a sing-song way of saying it. For example, when I teach the word “up”, I always say it 3 times in a row, making my voice higher each time. When I teach the word “down”, I say it 3 times, making my voice deeper each time. I say the words in the same tone, consistently in lessons and play.
• A big smile and eye contact (when appropriate and comfortable) shows I’m happy to see my students and am proud of their efforts. When they laugh, I laugh along (even if I’m faking it!) because laughter is communication and I’m acknowledging and responding to their humour by mirroring it.
• Sing ALL THE TIME. Don’t know many songs? Learn one from YouTube and use it ALL THE TIME. Repetition is great for language learning. Once you’ve mastered one, learn one more. Go for songs with simple words and actions.
• A playful child’s mindset helps make lessons fun. Many of us adults are out of practice playing. And it does take practice! A lot of play is storytelling. If you’re not sure what to say, try using toys to tell stories that are familiar to you or pick an everyday activity, like having breakfast or going grocery shopping, and tell the story of what happens. Follow the child’s lead. As you practice, you’ll find ways of sneaking in the core words. Go slow and leave wide open gaps for reciprocal conversation. Example:
  • With cars and a car mat: “It’s HOT today. (Make panting dog noise.) Sooo hot! I want ice cream. Can we get ice cream? Let’s drive to the ice cream store. Zooooom! Stop! We’re at the ice cream store. I want chocolate. Do you want chocolate or strawberry? Yum! Yummy yummy! I like my ice cream. It is YUMMY! Uh oh! It is MESSY! My ice cream is soooo messy. I have to go to the car wash. Zooooom! Stop! Scrub, scrub, scrub! Wash, wash, wash!”

Conclusion

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a caregiver, I encourage you to embrace the power of core vocabulary in your interactions with children who are learning to communicate. Be patient, be creative, and most importantly, celebrate every small victory along the way.

If this is a topic you’d like to hear more about, please let me know. I’d be happy to share real lessons I’ve used with my students. I’ve also shared some quick examples in my YouTube shorts. Let’s keep unlocking those doors together!

Until next time,

Mrs. Bacchus

P.S. Hello to a whole bunch of new subscribers! Thank you for being here!