Beyond "Apple" and "Ball": Why Core Words are the Secret to Your Toddler’s First Sentences

Written By Sawsan Jamal

If you are a parent in San Antonio and your toddler is starting to talk, you’ve probably spent a lot of time pointing at things. “Look, a dog!” “See the car?” While naming objects (nouns) is an important first step, many parents find themselves stuck in the "labeling phase."

You might be wondering: How do I get my child to actually tell me what they want? How do we move from one word to two-word phrases?

The answer lies in Core Vocabulary or Power Words (as I like to call them).

What Are Core/Power Words?

Core words are a small set of high-frequency words (mostly verbs, pronouns, and prepositions) that make up about 80% of what we say every day. Unlike "fringe words" (like dinosaur or broccoli), which are great to learn, core words can be used in almost any situation.

Think of words like:

  • Go

  • Stop

  • More

  • Up

  • Open

  • All done

Pro-Tip: If you're looking for the best way to introduce these "power words" during story time, check out my recent guide: The Best Speech-Boosting Books for Toddlers: A Therapist’s Top Picks.

The Science: Why Core Words Matter

Research shows that core words are the "functional" backbone of language. While nouns are great for identification, core words are wonderful for expanding communication.

  • The "Linguistic Engine": Studies confirm that high-frequency verbs and prepositions provide the structural support children need to transition from single words to multi-word phrases (Pillinger & Vardy, 2022).

  • Power of Versatility: Because core words aren't tied to one specific item, a child who learns the word "Open" can use it for a snack, a door, a box, or a book. This "generative" nature of language is what allows toddlers to express their needs more effectively (Witkowski & Baker, 2012).

  • Early Literacy: Exposure to these high-frequency words in early childhood is a strong predictor of later reading fluency and comprehension (Erickson & Koppenhaver, 2020).

How to Use Core Words at Home in San Antonio?

You don’t need special flashcards to teach these words. You just need to "narrate" your day! Whether you’re heading to Brackenridge Park or just playing in the backyard, here is how to model core words:

  1. The "Power of One": If your child is using zero words, model one word (e.g., say "Go!" when pushing a car). If they use one word, model two (e.g., if they say "Car," you say "Go car!").

  2. Wait for the Gap: Give your child 5–10 seconds to respond. It feels like an eternity, but their little brains need that time to process the "power word" you just used.

  3. Physicalize the Word: When you say "Up," lift them up. When you say "Stop," freeze in your tracks. Research indicates that pairing language with sensory experience helps toddlers "map" the word to the meaning much faster (Motamedi et al., 2020).

Let’s Look At Some More Examples: Moving to Two-Word Phrases

If your child is already saying single words like "Car" or "Moo," our goal is to build a "word bridge." We do this by pairing a Power Word with a second word to create a mini-sentence.

  • Vehicles (Cars, Trains, & Trucks)

    • Single Word: "Car"

    • The Combination: "Go car," "Car stop," "Fast car," or "More car."

  • Play Food & Kitchen Sets

    • Single Word: "Apple"

    • The Combination: "Eat apple," "More apple," "Apple in," or "No apple."

  • Bubbles & Wind-Up Toys

    • Single Word: "Bubbles"

    • The Combination: "Open bubbles," "Big bubbles," "More bubbles," or " Pop bubbles!"

  • Blocks & Building

    • Single Word: "Block"

    • The Combination: "Block on," "Put on," "More blocks," or "All done blocks."

  • Mr. Potato Head

    • Single Word: "Nose"

    • The Combination: "Put in," "Nose on," or "My turn".

The "Plus-One" Rule for San Antonio Parents

A good rule of thumb we use at Small Talk Speech Therapy is the "Plus-One Rule." Whatever your child says, repeat it back to them and add one more word.

  • If they say "Dog," you say "Big dog!"

  • If they say "Go," you say "Go truck!"

This shows them exactly how to build the next level of their language "tower" without any pressure!

Is Your Toddler Ready for More?

Every child develops at their own pace, but if you feel like your little one is struggling to move past simple labeling, focusing on core words can be a game-changer.

At Small Talk Speech Therapy, we specialize in play-based, evidence-based techniques to help San Antonio families find their voices. You don't have to navigate this journey alone!

Contact Us Today

References:

  • Erickson, K. A., & Koppenhaver, D. A. (2020). Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

  • Motamedi, Y., et al. (2020). Linking language to sensory experience: Onomatopoeia in early language development. Developmental Science, 24(3), e13066.

  • Pillinger, C., & Vardy, E. J. (2022). The story so far: A systematic review of the dialogic reading literature. Journal of Research in Reading, 45(4), 533-548.

  • Witkowski, D., & Baker, B. (2012). Addressing the Content of Core Vocabulary: Why we teach what we teach. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21(3), 83-88.

Sawsan Jamal