POWER WORDS FOR TODDLERS
THE FIRST SET OF WORDS TO FOCUS ON FOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS
We know children need words to communicate, but what if I told you, we may be missing out on words toddlers NEED to communicate their own wants and needs independently?
It’s the thing that could have exponential potential to change your child’s communication.
And if you’ve been around here long enough, you know we like to give it to you straight + help you bypass the research and googling. Today we’re talking about power words. Here’s what you need to know:
WHAT ARE POWER WORDS?
Power words are words we use frequently in our everyday lives. You may also hear them referred to as functional vocabulary/language.
What makes them special is that one word (or phrase) can be used for a variety of purposes + in a variety of situations.
These words have VALUE because when a child uses them, they will get a response from us. Our response acts as positive reinforcement and will encourage a young child to continue to communicate with us.
NOUNS
mommy, daddy, sister/brother, cup, snack, milk, a favorite stuffed animal
VERBS
help, go, up, all done, more, eat, drink, open, again
Power words are mostly nouns (a person, place, or thing), but the most beneficial power words are verbs (action words).
This is because when a verb is used, the response will be an action that will meet the child’s need or want.
POWER WORDS GIVE CHILDREN A SENSE OF AUTONOMY.
Everyone wants to be able to choose, request, agree/disagree, etc. When we intentionally incorporate power words into play and daily routines, we’re helping build a foundation for our child’s autonomy and communication skills.
Let’s think about the word “help”.
“Help” is one word that can be used often and in a variety of situations. Your child might need help to open a snack, reach a toy on a shelf, put their shoes on, or climb up the slide, etc.
With just one word, they can communicate what they want AND they can use it often in different situations. That’s what makes it so powerful!
POWER WORDS VARY FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY AND CHILD TO CHILD.
While power words are common everyday words we hear and say often, they’re also specific and meaningful to the family using them. Most toddlers have a blanket, “lovey”, or favorite “stuffy”.
The word you use to communicate that specific object of comfort in your home matters. “Bun bun” (bunny) may be a power word in your home, but it may not be in another person’s home. Another way to think about it is to consider the names we use to call grandparents. “Oma” may be a power word to refer to your grandmother, while others may have a Nana or Mimi.
Again, with just one word, our children can meaningfully communicate what they want AND they can do so in a variety of situations.
TIPS FOR INCREASING YOUR TODDLER’S COMMUNICATION WITH POWER WORDS
Make your own personalized power word list.
Pull out a piece of paper. On the left, title the section NOUNS and begin making a list of your child’s favorite foods, toys, activities, and the people in their life.
On the right, title the section VERBS and list some functional/frequent words like “go, no, yes, hi, bye, all done”, etc.
Need us to walk you through? In our Play Guide Bundle, we help you jump start your own list of power words by providing a list of categories and space for you to consider what words might be best for your child and family. We also share 50+ words we consider to be game changers when it comes to communication! Head to the Shop and get started!
Make an intentional effort to use these words throughout the day.
Model the power words that you are expecting your child to use. Use them often so that your child is getting multiple exposures to the same words. This way they are able to pair meaning to the spoken word & eventually use it independently.
Consider using the 2-1-1 game plan
This will help you have an intentional, yet easy & flexible plan to incorporate 2 basic concepts, 1 power word, and 1 strategy into daily routines and play.
Invest in increasing your knowledge with the Play by Play
We’ve made it easy to learn how to integrate learning into play using the toys you already own. It’s truly the ultimate quick reference resource for parents. With over 40 different learning targets, you’ll be on your way to supporting your child’s foundational language skills that are necessary for life skills and academic success. The best part? There’s virtually no prep involved!
There you have it, friends! Here’s to increasing our toddler’s communication and decreasing their frustration (and yours too)!
