VOCAB SELECTION FOR EARLY COMMUNICATORS
Let’s talk about how we can support our earliest communicators in their first words. When I talk about early communicators today, I am referring to kids who have less than 50 words. We know that in language development, once you hit about 50 words, you begin to start combining those words and making 2 word phrases. I want to focus on the vocabulary that comes before that.
Let’s define these terms before we get started:
Core vocabulary - said to make up about 80% of what we communicate and contain vocabulary that can be used in a variety of different contexts. Think of words like: go, stop, no, help, what, big, etc.
Fringe vocabulary - is said to make up about 20% of what we communicate and contains vocabulary that is context-specific. Think of words like apple, car, bus, the dog’s name, etc.
When we are looking at core word lists, Laubsher and Light in 2020, told us a little bit about these lists. Some of the important takeaway are that the lists vary, they are taken from children 24m and older (typically at the combining word stage), and were taken across different settings. What does this tell us for early communicators? Although core is essential to communication and will be used as language develops, it is likely not what these kids need to learn first.
So with that information, what can we do to select appropriate vocabulary?
Look at the vocabulary needed for their everyday activities and routines
Look at the vocabulary they want, not what they adult wants
Watch for signs of engagement when you model (what are they drawn too)
Model a variety of core and fringe
Keep it simple
When you provide support in this manner, you are meeting the kids where they are! This is the most important thing we can do when supporting language development.
To round out this post here is a list of some of the first 50 words my kids said:
Mamma, Dadda, Sis, Bus, Shoes, Duck, Animal Noises, Sock, Go, Outside, No, More, Banana, Hi, Bye
You can see a combination of core and fringe vocabulary, but more importantly, you can see how these words directly relate to activities and routines we do daily!
Lauren Greenlief