Core vocabulary is used for many students who are learning to verbally or non-verbally request their wants and needs. Core Vocabulary makes up about 80% of what we say in 108 picture icons. The idea is for students to point to the icons they would like to make a request, say that they do not want something, or comment. You can help increase these skills by modeling the pictures on the core board.

Students with requesting goals are exposed to the core board at school and are encouraged and prompted to use it frequently throughout their day. I typically use the 108 icon board to model, but some students are more familiar with USING the 12 or 25 icon boards, especially students who are in ECSE classrooms.

The “Core Phrases- Requesting” image above shows different phrases using core that allow your child to request for various things. I encourage you to print (if you don’t already have) the core boards, model and prompt your child to use the core board to communicate with you. Even if you know what they want, children need practice telling others what they want or need

Level of prompting may look different for different students. Some students may use the board independently. Some may need some assistance, such as having you point to the “I” symbol to help them initiate a request. Some children might require hand-over-hand prompting as they are still learning.

If you don’t have access to a printer but would still like to work on this with your child, I can make one and send it in the mail Please email me at bennetv@dearbornschools.org if you need this or have any questions!

Stay safe and healthy!

-Veronica Bennett M.A. CCC-SLP