Core Words
Why Core Vocabulary Matters for Late Talkers
When a child is learning to talk, it’s easy to get caught up in teaching colors, animal names, or even the alphabet. But for many toddlers, especially late talkers, the most powerful words are the ones that help them connect and participate in daily life. These are called core vocabulary words and they’re some of the best building blocks for early communication.
What Is Core Vocabulary?
Core words are functional, flexible, and frequently used across many situations and routines. These are the words we use most often to get things done, share thoughts, and interact with others. Unlike fringe vocabulary, core words aren’t tied to one specific object or activity, they work everywhere and support a child’s ability to participate in daily routines and conversations before they can form long sentences or use perfect grammar.
Common core vocabulary includes
action words like "go," "eat," "play," and "stop"
social words like "hi," "bye," "please," and "no"
descriptive words like "big," "little," "hot," and "more"
location words like "in," "out," "up," and "down"
people words like "me," "you," "mama," and "baby"
helping or control words like "help," "all done," "wait," and "turn."
What Core Vocabulary Isn’t
It’s easy to assume that all words help language development equally, but not all vocabulary is created equal, especially for late talkers. Core vocabulary is not just about naming things. It doesn’t include isolated labels like "elephant," "avocado," or "excavator," or memorized sequences like the alphabet or counting. While these types of words, sometimes called “fringe” or “specific” vocabulary, do have a place, they aren’t as helpful for functional communication. A child might be able to name every animal in a book, but if they can’t say words like "want," "help," or "go," they may still struggle to express their needs and connect with others in everyday situations.
Why Start with Core Words?
A child who can use even a handful of powerful core words (like "go," "help," "stop," and "more") has the tools to initiate play, make choices, ask for help, and communicate when they’re done. These are foundational skills that promote connection and confidence. Core words give late talkers access to meaningful communication, helping them connect with others and navigate their world. It’s not about how many words a child can say, but what they can do with them. Focusing on core vocabulary helps build language in a way that’s effective and motivating.
How to Use Core Vocabulary in Daily Life
You don’t need special materials or extra time in your day to teach core words. In fact, the best way to introduce them is to simply use them consistently in context during your daily routines like snack time, diaper changes, bath time, and play. For example, during snack time, you might pause and say, “Want more?” before handing another bite. When a toy rolls away, you can say, “Uh-oh! Help?” and wait for your child to reach or vocalize. When they finish their milk, you might cheerfully say, “All done!” and make a wiping motion with your hands. These short, repeated phrases paired with natural routines help your child connect words with meaning, and those meanings stick because they matter to the child in the moment.
What If My Child Doesn’t Imitate Yet?
That’s okay. Learning words starts with hearing them over and over in meaningful ways. Even if your child doesn’t repeat the words right away, they’re building an understanding of how communication works. You can support this by pointing, using gestures, and modeling the same core words in similar moments throughout the day. Eventually, your child may respond with a gesture, sound, or word and that’s the beginning of expressive language.
It's Not About How Many Words, It's About What They Can Do with Them
A child who knows 10 functional words they can use across routines may be much more communicative than a child who can label 50 animals but rarely initiates or responds. Core vocabulary focuses on giving your child language tools they can use to express themselves and connect with others.
If you’re supporting a late talker, start by modeling simple, powerful vocabulary that helps them navigate their world. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. At Meaningful Connections Pediatrics, I help families discover which words are most meaningful for their child and how to naturally weave them into play and daily routines. Want personalized strategies or a custom word list for your toddler? Book a free consult or explore our services to learn more!
