Page 38 - Literacy Based Speech Language Therapy Activities Digital Version

Literacy-Based Speech Language Therapy Activities

Using Core Vocabulary to Support Literacy

When it comes to literacy and supporting our low-incidence populations, we need to talk about Core
vocabulary. What is it? Core vocabulary words are high frequency, reusable, generic words. They
comprise 80-90% of the words we use (e.g., want, more, put, I, mine, go, all done). Core vocabulary

is important because it promotes generative language. In other words, your child is not limited to
requesting nouns (e.g., I want cookie). And, by using Core vocabulary, you are giving your child
access to 50-300 high frequency, re-usable words and variations of words. The best part is that he

can use these words across a variety of events or activities throughout his entire life.

4 Tips for Using Core Vocabulary
Give Access: Please make sure you provide your child with a communication system. This could be
the Core vocabulary board provided to you. This could also be a communication device you already
own. Remember, give your child full access to a consistent communication system. This will give
him the opportunity to let us know what he wants and how he feels, and let him give commentary on

everyday activities. In our clinic and on our campuses, students have used the core vocabulary
board to tell us they want (a request/want) to talk to a friend, they’re mad (feelings) following a

bowling spare and that something was funny (share in humor).

Model, Model, Model: If your student is still learning how to use a communication system, please
model the language for him. Remember, we model language for babies for approximately 9-12

months before they utter their first “mama” or “dada.” And, babies have likely heard the same word
hundreds to thousands of times before saying it for the first time. So, we are going to model often.
For example, you could point to “I,” “want” and “go” every time you go somewhere.

Know Gail Van Tatenhove: Please refer to Gail Van Tatenhove’s work for support in
implementing a communication system. Her YouTube channel provides content and visuals for
using these important communication systems: https://www.youtube.com/user/gvantatenhove.

Have fun: Know that communication, at the end of the day, is best used to create meaningful (and

fun) experiences. I am also including the core vocabulary board I used for bowling. My students
had a great time at bowling this year, and this created opportunities to talk about how they did, their
feelings following each turn, and vocabulary for steps taken when bowling (e.g., putting on shoes,

getting ball). So, have fun!

When it comes to literacy, use core vocabulary to give access to books. There are many educators
and speech-language pathologists who have adapted books using core vocabulary. By searching

“adapted books and core vocabulary,” we found many resources on the internet. For example, Tar

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www.bilinguistics.com